A church in Castle Rock, Colorado is suing the city, pointing out the lack of shelter options for unhoused residents in the area.
After the town of Castle Rock ordered a church to stop providing shelter for unhoused residents on their property, the church is suing the town, reports Colleen Slevin for the Associated Press. Castle Rock officials say the property is not zoned for residential uses.
In the lawsuit, the church argues that helping those in need, including providing housing, is a religious activity protected by the U.S. Constitution. The suit also points out that there are no shelters for unhoused people in the surrounding area.
The Rock Church is currently housing one resident in an RV. It began providing temporary housing in 2018 as part of a network of churches offering housing to women and children. If the suit is successful, the church has plans to build workforce housing on its land.
The church claims its actions are protected under the 2000 Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which prohibits land use regulations that put a ‘substantial burden’ on religious activities without a ‘compelling reason.’
FULL STORY: Church sues Colorado town to be able to shelter homeless in trailers, work 'mandated by God'
Colorado Bill Would Legalize Housing ‘In God’s Backyard’
Churches and religious institutions around the country are calling for zoning reforms that would allow them to build housing on their underused properties.
Burien Church Sues City Over Housing
A church in the small town of Burien that offers shelter to some 100 unhoused people came in conflict with city officials over permitting.
Faith-Based Housing Brings Light Density With Less Resistance
The ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement brings together powerful partners to develop housing in areas where development might otherwise encounter opposition.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)