A temporary restraining order has been issued and operations have been shut down for a boarding home in northeast Harris County after deputies said they have identified several violations inside, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Law enforcement surrounded the unpermitted boarding home at SonRise Church located at 5609 E Mount Houston for several hours on Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Deputies were seen loading up the belongings of dozens of individuals.
According to senior pastor Edward Buford, the shelter has been operating for more than 14 years. Forty residents were forced to find alternative housing when law enforcement showed up unexpectedly.
“You have people that had been kicked out of places last night that were heading to the street that came to us. You have people that have actually been on the street that has come to us. You have people that, some of them, that have served their punishment to society ... there’s all facets of people that were here,” Buford said.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office would not provide the violation report to KPRC 2 late Wednesday.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted that the shelter had “several violations” and that the county is “cracking down” on un-permitted locations.
Members of our Boarding Home Detail/Homeless Outreach Team, the @hcfmo @HarrisCoPct2 are on-location at 5609 E Mount Houston. Several violations have been identified and a temporary restraining order/stop work order has been issued.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) June 14, 2023
We have secured placement for 9 persons,
1/2
But Buford disputed the Sheriff’s claim, saying the shelter is in the process of getting the necessary permits and the church boarding home wasn’t in violation.
“People that are saying that we were operating a shelter without permits, not true,” Buford said.
In a podcast on the church Facebook page Wednesday night, Buford detailed some of the Fire Marshal’s findings, including that inspectors found roaches and there were no ‘No Smoking’ signs in the facility. He also said the shelter had been told it needed light bulbs, windows and coverings on plugs.
He told KPRC 2 the work is taking longer than expected.
“We take the responsibility of the fact that we gotta get it done,” he said. “Would love to had more time.”
A sign now posted on the church door say residential occupancy prohibited.
Buford said the shutdown came as a surprise to church leaders and that they’ve been asking the county for patience.
“It’s hard, but our heart is bigger than our pocket,” Buford said. He said the shelter doesn’t receive grants, local or federal funds.
He added that the closure will leave an enormous gap in homeless services, as his boarding home is one of few that are open for intake 24/7. But with an army of support, he said both financially and by people in person, he believes the boarding home could be back open within 30 days.
According to HCSO, a requirement for all boarding homes to be permitted took effect last March.