Lawyer Sues Homeless Center, Says Disheveled People Scare Away His Tenants
A Houston lawyer has sued a homeless center and church, claiming “disheveled individuals” attracted by offers of free meals and services are scaring away his tenants and hurting the value of his building.
Lawyer Harry Arthur claims The Beacon day center for homeless people is a public nuisance, and he’s seeking a permanent injunction to shut it down, according to Texas Lawyer’s Tex Parte Blog. The suit also seeks $250,000 in damages from The Beacon and Christ Church Cathedral, which operates the center through its outreach ministries.
“The persons attracted by the free meals, free laundry and other services, urinate, defecate and drop trash in the street, sidewalks, doorways and other private property areas of the neighbors,” Arthur alleges in the suit, filed in Harris County court.
Arthur says the Beacon operates days, Friday through Monday, attracting “hundreds of disheveled individuals” who sleep on the sidewalks after the center closes, the story says. “The individuals sing, play music, dance, fight, share drugs and other undesirable activities,” the suit says.
