The Massachusetts Land Court upheld Somerville’s efforts to create a 26-bed, low-barrier shelter at First Church Somerville on April 6. The new shelter, hosted by the Somerville Homeless Coalition, is set to open on May 19.
Residents filed a lawsuit claiming that the shelter violated local zoning ordinances. However, the court found that the project is protected under the Dover Amendment, a Massachusetts law that limits local regulation over land use for religious purposes, allowing the church to host the shelter.
“First Church entered into the lease with the Coalition in order to fulfill the congregation’s religious mission,” the April 6 ruling reads…