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.

1 minute read

August 25, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View across lake of small town of Burien in Washington state.

Burien, Washington. | Trish Drury/Danita Delimont / Adobe Stock

A church in the small town of Burien, Washington is suing the city over its right to let unhoused people camp on their property.

As Shawn Garrett reports for KIRO7, the church claims the city’s requirement that they obtain a temporary use permit violates their constitutional rights.

The church began providing shelter to roughly 100 people starting in November 2023, months after the city passed an ordinance criminalizing sleeping on nonresidential property at night. The church has refused to apply for the permit the city says is necessary. “The lawsuit also claims that the city’s ordinance conflicts with state law, prohibiting cities from limiting a religious organization’s ability to host an outdoor encampment to fewer than six months during any calendar year.”

In July, a church in a Colorado town filed a similar lawsuit after officials said the church property is not zoned for residential uses. Faith communities around the country are part of a growing ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement that calls on religious institutions to do their part in alleviating the housing crisis, particularly as lower attendance numbers mean more church properties are going unused.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in KIRO7

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA