Homeless residents in Toms River were given a few additional days to pack up and move their belongings from public spaces, after they were asked to leave this week by city officials.

Homeless community members have been camping out in the garage behind the Ocean County Library for weeks now.

Earlier this week, they were told to move their items by Thursday. But Jeffrey Wild, an attorney for many of the homeless residents, says they were given until the end of the day on Monday to move their things from the encampment.

"Toms River just recently shut down one warming center where a lot of these people had been living. So, they're out literally on the street with nowhere to sleep but on public land," said Wild.

Mayor Dan Rodrick says when he stops by to offer temporary housing, they decline and say they don't want to leave Toms River.

"There's one place in New Egypt that has 16 rooms," said Mayor Rodrick during one visit. "This time of year, it's impossible for us to get something here because everybody's looking to go to the beach."

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The mayor says he wants to move homeless residents from their encampment and into a temporary hotel out of town until permanent shelter is found for them. However, those at the encampment say they plan to live outside in Toms River until the township opens their own shelter.

"A home is where the heart is and that's really what it's about," said Mike Rizzuto.

Rizzuto is one of 30 unhoused Toms River residents staying at the encampment. He says they have lived here all their lives.

"They have a right and they have a voice," he says.

Mayor Rodrick says he believes these homeless individuals were brought to Tom's River by nonprofits as political pawns.

"I am confident that everyone that was dropped off at the garage will be placed in housing within the next few days," said the mayor.

When News 12 asked the mayor what would happen if they refused to leave, he declined to comment.