Federal Government Supports St. Timothy's in Lawsuit Over Homeless Services in Brookings

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intervened in a federal lawsuit filed by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Brookings, Oregon, over fines imposed by the city for providing homeless services. The DOJ argues that the city's zoning restrictions on the church's ability to feed the homeless violate federal antidiscrimination laws and religious freedoms. The lawsuit claims that the city's ordinance, which requires churches to obtain a license and imposes scheduling restrictions on homeless services, is burdensome and discriminatory. The DOJ's intervention is part of an initiative to enforce the federal law protecting religious institutions from unduly burdensome land use regulations. The church is hopeful that the federal intervention will result in a favorable ruling and set a precedent for similar cases nationwide.