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West Palm Beach church back in court over homeless shelter

"We've just begun to fight," says attorney Barry Silver.

For years, Westgate Tabernacle Church has been fined for zoning and code violations by the county. Now the church is back in federal court, claiming its religious and civil rights are being violated by Palm Beach County. The lawsuit seeks injuctions to keep the county from levying fines and otherwise interfering with the church's use of its property to help the homeless.

"We just want our rights as a church to help those who are hurting in the community," says Westgate Tabernacle Bishop Avis Hill.

The church has been down this road before in state court, and lost. That case is still on appeal.

Homeless people continue spending the night at Westgate. Church officials say with no other shelters in the area, the county can't afford to close them down.

"They're sending homeless people to Westgate," says Silver. "How can in good conscious the county send people to Westgate and then at the same time fine them for taking in the homeless?"

Read the Palm Beach Post article here.

Full post as published by the 13th juror on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).