EPHRATA, Pa. — There are no plans to change borough zoning to prevent Good Samaritan Services from operating a winter shelter, borough council members and Mayor Ralph Mowen assured the public Monday night.
“The homeless shelters aren’t going anywhere,” Mowen said at council’s Monday meeting. “There is no ordinance change in the works.”
More than 100 members of the public had turned up at the meeting in response to social media posts and other reports suggesting council was considering changing the borough’s zoning ordinance in a way that might jeopardize shelter operations.
Good Samaritan operates a winter shelter hosted by The Living Room church at 409 N. State St. It is governed by a provision of the borough zoning code that permits churches to host temporary shelters for up to 60 days.
In an email sent out last week, the nonprofit said there was a “movement” on council to change that. In the email and online, it warned that its Winter Shelter program was in jeopardy and asked for community support.
In a letter to Borough Council, the steering committee of the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition said winter shelters like Good Sam’s are a “critical component” of the county’s safety net.
At Monday’s meeting, council President Thomas Reinhold read a statement from Vice President Linda Martin, who was absent. It detailed how, in Martin’s view, good-faith efforts to talk with shelter directors got distorted through social media into rumors that the board was possibly working against the shelter.
Her statement noted that some constituents do have issues with shelter operations, but also described her own positive personal experience in working with service providers and her support for the shelter.
Reinhold, in personal comments, said he is “extremely disappointed” in the rumors, given that there is not a “movement,” as he said, to change the zoning ordinance. “Our vision should be on the future,” he said.
More than a dozen community members, including Good Samaritan employees, spoke in support of the organization and the shelter.
Resident Daryl Hurst said changing the zoning would be “unwise, uncharitable and bad for our community.”
Nicole Shlegle, a Lancaster Bible College student majoring in social work, presented a poll that she took of her “Generation Z” peers and said 100% agree that homeless is services is “an important part of a healthy community.”
“I want to live in a community where everyone is valued, regardless of their circumstances,” said Nate Hoffer, a Good Samaritan employee. “Some people go through hard times in life — there for the grace of God go I, or you, friend.”
Kristin Lapp, a counselor at Good Samaritan, pointed to U.S. Census data that indicates over 1,000 people are living in poverty in Ephrata.
“If there are no shelters, where will the homeless sleep?” she asked.
Ephrata resident Kyle Robinson talked about the challenge of homelessness as a complex issue with many factors. Speaking of his experience with the homeless, Robinson described the power of their testimonies.
“The stories they tell would make you cry in wonderful ways,” he said.
A woman identified as Sonya talked about how important Good Samaritan’s shelter was for her when she experienced homelessness, and how she has started to participate in serving others there.
The Rev. Ray Huber talked about homeless services as an essential part of church ministry and suggested that borough infringement on these services would be a violation of the free exercise of religious beliefs.
After public comment, borough council members had the chance to weigh in. Council President pro tempore Victor Richard affirmed that there never was any zoning change discussed.
“There’s nothing on paper,” he said. “There is no dialogue. There’s nothing like that.”
Councilman Alan Buohl concurred, though he noted that he has fielded complaints from local citizens about shelter operations.
Richard told the audience at the meeting: “I’m glad you came and told us what you think. We’re listening.”
Councilman Kory Musser said his views had been misrepresented, leading to personal attacks on him on social media. Councilmen Ricky Ressler and Tim Barr expressed their appreciation for churches and volunteers and their community spirit.
Mayor Mowen said plans are in the works to set up a symposium so that stakeholders can talk about the best ways to address homelessness in the borough.
Speaking of his own involvement, he made a public commitment.
“As long as I have breath, I’m going to work to do something about (homelessness),” he said. “We’re going to keep this shelter working.”
County Homelessness Coalition: Good Sam shelter’s work is vital
Good Samaritan’s winter shelter in Ephrata is a critical part of Lancaster County’s safety net for unsheltered individuals and families, the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition said.
In a letter to Ephrata Borough Council dated Monday, the coalition’s steering committee urged council members not to enact any zoning change that would prevent churches from hosting temporary shelters.
It said the county’s winter shelters have been successful “with minimal issues” and are an entry point for individuals to connect to the services they need.
It urged the borough “to continue your strategic work” with the coalition and community partners “to develop an improving system rather than eliminating winter shelter in the Borough’s jurisdiction.”
