Killeen, Texas, council approves homeless shelter zoning with conditional-use permit despite applicant objections

Armor of God, a nonprofit led by founder JT Haun, announced that it would not proceed with its planned homeless shelter on Medical Drive in Killeen, citing new city restrictions and financial constraints. According to KXXV’s 2024 report, the organization said it faced a tight timeline, rising costs, and concerns about the city’s ability to shut the shelter down under certain conditions. Cecil Bowles, vice president of the Armor of God board, said the organization was surprised by the added restrictions in the conditional use permit (CUP).

KXXV reported that the city’s current shelter, Friends in Crisis, was scheduled to close at the end of the year after more than a decade of service. The same report said city leaders were set to discuss funding to keep that shelter operating through the end of 2024.

KDH News reported that the Killeen City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request on a Thursday night that would allow a homeless shelter at 1002 Medical Drive in northeast Killeen. According to that report, Haun objected to the conditions and said he would not proceed with the project because of the CUP recommended by city staff. KDH reported that the CUP requires the shelter to be staffed at all times and to include a physical barrier around the property. KXXV described the required measures as around-the-clock security and fencing, which it said significantly increased project costs.

The two reports differ on how the CUP was approved. KXXV said city leaders approved the proposed shelter under a CUP. KDH said the council approved the rezoning, and that the CUP was a recommendation from city staff that the council then considered.

KDH reported that Councilwoman Mellisa Brown proposed approving the rezoning without the CUP, but the motion failed 3-4. Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Gonzalez and Councilwoman Beverly Williams supported including the CUP. KXXV reported that City Code limits homeless shelters to residential areas and that the proposed location raised concerns because it sat near a neighborhood, a business, a church, and a school. Councilmember Charles Kimble of District 2 expressed concerns about operating a shelter in a residential area.

KDH reported that the Friends in Crisis shelter, located in downtown Killeen, faced closure on September 1 but was temporarily saved by a last-minute council funding action. This timing differs from KXXV’s report that the shelter was scheduled to close at the end of the year. Care for people who depend on that shelter for a bed rested on that funding decision, a point about protecting the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

According to KDH, Gonzalez said residents had expressed concerns about continued city support for Friends in Crisis. She also questioned why concerns about the proposed shelter had not been raised earlier.