Within a fenced off section of property occupied by The Remnant House of Worship at 157 S. Commercial St. in downtown Aransas Pass, homeless individuals have been provided respite, a haven – so to speak – the only place in the Harbor City that offers a safe and secure location for those living on the streets. But as of February 1st, the city administration warned The Remnant founder, Tracie Barnes Frazier, that she’s in violation of a law that forbids what the government de_nes as ‘camping’ here, warning she and anyone else deemed responsible may face civil citations that could lead to a court hearing, and/or jail. (Aransas Pass Progress)
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Life on the streets can be a challenge. In some parts of the nation, large homeless encampments have filled public spaces that were once sidewalks, creating miniature tent cities that some municipal governments have tolerated, while businesses impacted by the blight and resulting increases in crime have begun abandoning areas, leaving sections of places like downtown San Francisco increasingly devoid of popular shops and stores.
Aransas Pass officials have made it clear to The Remnant House of Worship at 157 S. Commercial St. the homeless enclave they allow is not wanted downtown, and gave its founder, Tracie Barnes Frazier, until February 1st to close it down or face the potential of being cited by police for violation of a law the municipal administration is confident violates rules against camping there.
Frazier is not backing down, though, finding support from a Corpus Christi benefactor to finance a full court legal challenge if necessary, charging the city has no authority to interfere with what the nonprofi t group is doing on private property.
“We filed the required application for permission to permit camping with the city on the date of the deadline 3of February 1st,” Frazier advised the Progress in an email.
“We will patiently await further action on our application by the City and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs,” her notice continued.
“I believe that the City is in error about the laws that were cited dealing with private property. But the church is trying to comply as Christians should (Romans 13:1-2),” Frazier added. The biblical passage reads, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
“The church will not prohibit anyone from camping on its property as long as they are sober, practice good hygiene and do not act disruptively (Mark 12:30-31),” Frazier wrote. As wri n, that biblical passage reads, “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ‘ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
“The church will not interfere with any actions the police may undertake. However, the church will to the best of its ability a mpt to arrange legal counsel for the wrongfully arrested,” Frazier’s email concluded.
A practicing a rney helped compose the documents Frazier submi d to the Aransas Pass city administration, she told the newspaper, the service donated by a Corpus Christi resident who heard about the group’s tribulations and offered to help in this way.
Since the February 1st deadline, Frazier added so far, there’s been no police intervention.
City Manager Gary Edwards and Police Chief Eric Blanchard have been asked for a response.
In the meantime, Frazier has formally requested to have the issue placed on a future Aransas Pass City Council agenda so that she may come and plead her case before the elected body.
“The City of Aransas Pass Police Department previously served verbal notice upon The Remnant House of Worship that permi ng homeless people to camp upon its premises allegedly violates the provisions of Texas Penal Code 48.05, HB 1925, and Section 19-5 of the City of Aransas Pass Municipal Ordinances,” Frazier wrote in a le r sent to the City Council January 30th and shared with the newspaper. It was sent the same day The Remnant was notified in writing it was breaking the law.
“The church was offi cially advised by the APPD that a violation of these laws is a Class C misdemeanor. The Police Department notifi ed the church that after February 1st, failure to submit a plan to comply with the provisions of the statutes could result in citations,” Frazier addressed the Council, adding that she also forwarded a copy of an email sent to Bobby Wilkinson, Director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, “which is the state agency that approves homeless permits. To date, I have had no reply.”
In the email to Wilkinson, Frazier wrote, “The congregation permits homeless individuals to erect temporary tents behind a privacy fence. No cooking or fires are permi d, and bathrooms are inside the church for the use of the members and guests of the church. It is the position of the Remnant House of Worship that church property is private, not public. As HB 1925 and Texas Penal Code 48.05 are applicable to camping on public property only, not private property, TDHCA – (Wilkinson’s agency) – would not regulate any activity on church property. However, for clarification, please advise if TDHCA does regulate this church activity. If so, please provide the information and forms needed to comply with TDHCA regulations,” Frazier requested.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Frazier revealed The Remnant House of Worship had added yet another program to assist the community called ‘Connections’, a counseling session being held every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. for about an hour, a place for anyone to discuss issues with addictions, or just to vent about other problems or concerns, creating a venue where those who a nd know they will be heard and provided spiritual support for their presence.
Editor’s note: To contact Tracie Barnes Frazier or ask any questions about The Remnant House of Worship you can call (512) 9237991, email remnanthow@gmail.com , or follow them on Facebook (h_ps:// www. fac ebook. com/ groups/785004448776085), or the group, Support the Remnant House of Worship (h_ps://www. facebook.com/groups/ 1498000481018613).
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