ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KFGO-AM) - A St. Cloud, Minn. Church is embroiled in a legal battle over a "tiny house" it uses to shelter a homeless person.
City officials say the trailer, which belongs to St. John's Episcopal Church, violates residential code requirements and must be removed.
But the church has decided to fight city hall. In a federal lawsuit, St. John's says the city of St. Cloud is violating its right to free exercise of religion.
"We are asking the court to step in and confirm that the church is entirely within its rights to provide this homeless individual shelter" according to church attorney Robert Feigh. "The church is not only a faith community and a prayer community, but also a community of action."
Feigh says St. Cloud is discriminating against the church because similar structures are allowed in other parts of the city. He says if the city is allowed to prevail, a homeless person now living in the trailer will be forced to live outside in the "Minnesota winter."
The "tiny house" is 132 square feet and sits on wheels. Electricity is provided by plugging the house into an exterior outlet. A water supply is maintained by attaching a hose.
In a letter to the church, city officials say St. John’s could be fined up to $750 for each violation. Feigh says he intends to ask for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the city from taking further action until the case is settled.