(Courtesy of Lowell Sun) “Homeless residents outside of Eliot Church”
Collin Gallagher
Connector Contributor
On November 26, 2024, Eliot Presbyterian Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, began incurring a daily fine of $300 from city officials due to trash accumulation on its property. This situation has drawn attention to the church’s role in assisting the city’s homeless population and the broader implications of municipal policies on homelessness. Eliot Presbyterian Church has long been a support hub for unhoused individuals in Lowell. Through its Day Center, the church offers daytime shelter, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, spiritual care, and housing support. These services aim to provide dignity and hope to those in need.
The fines imposed on Eliot Church coincide with the city’s enforcement of an “Unlawful Camping” ordinance. Enacted in November 2024, this ordinance prohibits camping and sleeping on public property when shelter space is available. Individuals who decline offered shelter can face fines and arrests, and may be arrested for re-establishing a campsite. City officials have cited public health and safety concerns as the rationale for both the ordinance and the fines. They emphasize the importance of maintaining clean and safe public spaces for all residents.
The fines levied against Eliot Church have prompted significant community response. Supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the church in covering the fines and continuing its outreach programs. The campaign, titled “Keep Eliot Church’s Doors Open to Those in Need,” highlights the church’s longstanding commitment to aiding Lowell’s unhoused neighbors and seeks to ensure the continuation of these vital services.These fundraising efforts have garnered attention on social media, with community members expressing support for the church’s mission and concern over the impact of the fines on its operations.
Students from the Umass Lowell have also weighed in on the situation. One student expressed mixed feelings about the ordinance, stating, “I’d say I 30% agree with it and 70% don’t. When they passed it, they didn’t really give another alternative path for these homeless people. They just said, ‘Oh, it’s illegal,’ but they’re not really trying to help.” Another student commented on the challenges faced by the church, noting, “Two people at the church can’t clean up all the trash left by homeless individuals. The government of Lowell should take some responsibility instead of placing the burden entirely on the church.”
The situation with Eliot Church reflects broader challenges in addressing homelessness at the municipal level. The enforcement of anti-camping ordinances, while intended to maintain public order, can lead to unintended consequences for both unhoused individuals and the organizations that support them. Advocates for the homeless argue that such ordinances may further marginalize vulnerable populations without providing proper alternatives. They call for more comprehensive and compassionate approaches that involve collaboration between city officials, community organizations, and residents to develop sustainable solutions to homelessness.
As Eliot Presbyterian Church continues to face daily fines, the community’s response underscores the complex interplay between municipal policies and grassroots efforts to support the unhoused. The situation highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and cooperation to address the root causes of homelessness and to ensure that efforts to maintain public health and safety do not inadvertently penalize those striving to provide essential services to vulnerable populations.
