A Quincy church that had opened its garden to seven immigrant families was abruptly told Friday that it had to dismantle its tents. The 24 Haitian migrants, including several children and a one-year-old baby, are once again in limbo after sleeping outside Wollaston Station.
An inspector showed up at the church Friday morning when no one was there, according to Pastor Niki Harvell, who communicated with the representative through the church’s camera. Harvell was told that a complaint had been filed with the city and that tents were not allowed to be set up on the property due to a “no camping ordinance.”
Inspector Paul Martin arrived at around 9pm on Friday to ensure that the tents had been taken down and that no one was on the property. He also put up a cease and desist notice outside the garden, she said.
“We were told that we were not allowed to put up tents even on our property, no matter who puts them up,” she said.
Martin did not respond to a request for comment. The inspection office referred questions to the mayor’s office, which told GBH News in a statement that neighbors had complained about “unhygienic and potentially unsafe activities on church property.”
“Members of the Inspection Department, Fire Department and Law Department explained to church officials the life-saving, health and building code issues related to a tent visible on church property,” said Christopher Walker, chief of staff to Mayor Thomas Koch, via email. He said the church agreed to the tent’s removal and no tickets were issued, but a warning was posted. The issue was a “state code issue,” he said.
The church offered its garden to provide overnight shelter for the migrant families after being contacted by the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network, a group of advocacy and faith-based groups. The church set up seven tents. The families began moving in on August 5 after staying temporarily in Brockton. During the day, the migrants go to a family welcome center.
“There were families left on the streets with nowhere to go. So we stepped in and provided a place for our friends,” Harvell said. “And we’re certainly not an ideal situation.”
Harvell said the church will heed the city’s warning. Asked if Quincy officials had offered the families alternatives, Harvell said that had not happened in their discussions.
“There was no way for us. We as a community were not given any other option to do it,” Harvell said.
Instead, the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network scrambled to find help from other churches or groups for the families — which has grown from seven to 10 — and used its own emergency funds to transport the families and house them in several hotels over the weekend. As of Monday, they were helping 13 families.
Judy Wolberg, a retired volunteer midwife, said some of the families will likely end up back at the station after tomorrow night because finances are unsustainable.”
Wolberg said the state needs to change its five-day limit on shelter stays and consider other solutions, otherwise people will be “sleeping on the sidewalk.”
“We’re just putting band-aids wherever we can. At least one tent, especially our little campsite, was actually quite nice – it’s a shame,” she said.
