In response, the homeless center argued that churches are protected from conducting activities that are expressions of religious practice.
AUSTIN, Texas — A new lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges an Austin homeless center has turned a quiet neighborhood into a hub for drugs and crime.
Paxton claims South Austin’s Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, located next to Joslin Elementary School, is enabling such rampant crime and drug use despite the organization’s mission to bring about change. .
In September, neighbors in the area said they walked past drug paraphernalia every day. A mother whose son attends Joslin Elementary School said she would no longer let her son play there after finding a needle with a tip under a tree on the playground.
Ashley Hammack is the student’s mother.
“I took my son to the park and we found needles. We found human waste, condoms, Narcan. You know, there were homeless people wandering around all the time. We’ve had stabbings here. There was one,” Hammack said.
Dale Herron is the president of the Western Trails Neighborhood Association.
“It’s really become a place I don’t want to be in anymore. And this is our park. This is our neighborhood park. I’m worried about the kids,” Herron said.
These allegations prompted Paxton’s office to further investigate, alleging that Sunrise enabled these acts and that the center was endangering the safety of children, residents and businesses.
Sunrise opened about nine years ago and provides food, hygiene products, mail, computer labs, mental health and substance abuse services to people experiencing homelessness. However, Paxton claims that Sunrise has a “syringe salesperson” at its facilities every week to give people the drugs and allow them to self-inject on the spot.
City leaders are considering two new locations to relocate Sunrise from Joslyn Elementary School, but a timeline for the move has not yet been determined. The center is funded by Austin and Travis County, including $350,000 allocated by the county just last week.
“We believe that we need multiple sites that are not in neighborhoods and are not adjacent to any schools or day cares, but are more isolated so that we do not experience the same problems that we are facing. We’re thinking, “Where we are now,” City Councilman Ryan Alter said.
Residents hope this lawsuit will prompt some action.
“The time has come. I think the time has come and we have been asking for this and we hope something can be done before a tragedy occurs,” Herron said. . “Austin is better than this and we deserve better than this.”
Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center responded to Mr. Paxton’s lawsuit with the following statement, stating that churches are protected from conducting activities that are expressions of religious practice.
“While it is unfortunate that Attorney General Paxton has chosen this path, especially during Thanksgiving week, Sunrise is committed to helping those in need in our community. We will continue to provide services to the.” “We are committed to being good neighbors. We will continue to work hard every day to support Joslin Elementary School, our neighborhood, and the community at large.”
Mr. Hilberink continued, “As a faith-based ministry of Sunrise Community Church, our mission and obligation is to care for the poor. and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. These laws have been tried many times in court, and the results have always been the same. It is protected to engage in certain activities.
Alan Graham of Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First! Village, a leader on homelessness in Texas, said, “Faith-based institutions like churches are the most important solution to the homelessness epidemic in Texas.” “Limiting their abilities undermines us all and contributes to this challenge.” Thankfully, the First Amendment and federal and state laws protect churches serving people experiencing homelessness across the country, even if the government attempts to restrict their operations. The work that Sunrise and other places of worship do in our communities should be celebrated and welcomed as we strive to be good neighbors to everyone in our communities. ”
“As Travis County’s largest provider of homeless services, Sunrise has helped more than 4,275 people move into safe and supportive housing,” the statement continued. “Sunrise serves thousands of people each year through our digital call centers, outreach, housing programs, and in-person services. At Sunrise, we support a diverse group of people, including many families with young children, who are homeless in Austin. Through our programs, we employ people who clean up neighborhoods, address community concerns, and contribute to the beautification of our neighborhoods. ”
