Justice Department sues Georgia city over Christian homeless shelter

The U.S. Department of Justice says the city of Brunswick's attempts to close a homeless shelter violate the shelter's rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

The Well opened in 2014. The shelter is operated by Southeastern Education Services, a religious ministry under the United Methodist Church, according to a complaint filed by the Justice Department in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Brunswick officials began blaming the shelter for an increase in violent crime in 2023, according to the complaint filed. Brunswick's mayor sent the shelter a letter in April 2023 requesting that the shelter close, according to the Justice Department.

The staff voluntarily closed The Well for 65 days to address the city's concerns. Security measures were added to the shelter, and guests were required to visit the police department for a warrant check.

"But nothing seemed to mollify the Mayor, who threatened to seek a judicial order shutting down The Well as a nuisance property if The Well reopened," the complaint said. "He claimed that the City’s decision was one of political necessity, to respond to voters’ complaints."

Just two weeks after the shelter reopened in July 2023, the city filed a complaint against The Well in Glynn Superior Court, asking the court for an order that would force the shelter to close. The complaint did not acknowledge the shelter's new security measures. Claims that police were being called to the shelter often were also discredited, the Justice Department said.

"Nevertheless, from when The Well reopened in July 2023 through November 21, during which time The Well operated under new safety protocols, an average of fewer than 10 police calls from or near The Well were made per month, the lowest volume of police calls from or near The Well in over five years," the complaint said.

The Justice Department is asking the court to declare that the city's actions violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and stop city officials from trying to close The Well.

“Federal law protects the right of religious groups such as The Well to use their land to help others,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The division will continue to vindicate the rights of groups to exercise their religion and fight local land use laws that unlawfully restrict those rights."

The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment from Brunswick officials prior to publication.