Senator Codey Goes Undercover to Research Homeless Shelter

A New Jersey lawmaker who once served as the state's acting governor has gone undercover to research conditions at a Newark homeless shelter.

State Sen. Richard Codey, who has worked for years to improve conditions at shelters, boarding homes and mental health facilities, recently spent the night at the Goodwill Mission in Newark. It was part of an ongoing research effort he stared in November.

Codey dressed himself in old clothes and a dirty hooded sweatshirt to appear down-and-out. He also wore a fake beard and phony tattoos, and had a makeup artist make his teeth look tobacco-stained and his face appear worn.

After entering the shelter Monday night, he was given a thin bedroll and blanket. He then slept on the floor in a room with 20 other men.