A local Ohio church faces criminal charges and an ultimatum from the city for staying open 24/7 to provide shelter to homeless citizens, despite a reported housing shortage and lack of space at the local homeless shelter.
Ohio's Bryan City Council has repeatedly targeted Pastor Chris Avell and his church, Dad's Place, for keeping it open overnight to accommodate the vulnerable homeless population. Avell has faced nearly two dozen criminal charges for violating the city's zoning code.
Despite 18 charges being dismissed, one remains, threatening a $1,000 per day fine and forced eviction. First Liberty Institute (FLI), representing the church, argues that the city's actions violate the Ohio Constitution, U.S. Constitution, First Amendment, and other laws protecting religious institutions and disabled individuals.
Ohio City Targets Church for Providing Overnight Shelter to Homeless
The church aims to assist Bryan residents lacking housing options or adequate shelter at the local homeless facility. Avell's efforts have been met with hostility from the city, which claims concerns over fire code violations and health and safety hazards.
However, FLI maintains that the city's claims are contradictory and that the fire chief has testified that sleeping is allowed as long as individuals are not in a prone position. The city's actions appear to stem from a desire to evict the church from its building, despite its charitable mission.
Ohio City Targets Church for Providing Overnight Shelter to Homeless
Mayor Carrie Schlade insists that the city is focused on enforcing fire and zoning codes for safety reasons. She claims that Dad's Place is endangering those it serves by not complying with the law.
FLI has appealed the denial of a preliminary injunction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. While waiting for the emergency appeal, Bryan City filed a separate civil lawsuit in state court seeking to evict the church.
Ohio City Targets Church for Providing Overnight Shelter to Homeless
FLI Chair Jeremy Dys describes the situation as "vindictive, bullying behavior." He believes the city's actions violate the church's religious freedom and its right to provide assistance to those in desperate need.
The fate of Dad's Place and its mission to provide shelter to the homeless remains uncertain as the legal battle continues. However, the church's commitment to serving the vulnerable and Avell's determination to remain open despite legal obstacles underscore the ongoing tensions between religious institutions and local governments in addressing societal issues.
Ohio City Targets Church for Providing Overnight Shelter to Homeless
