English writer, philosopher, and lay theologian G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.” I wonder if the irony of Chesterton’s observation will register in the minds of residents in Danbury who have used fear, demonization, and scare tactics in their quest to remove the city’s most vulnerable residents from their line of sight. 

Last week, by a 6-3 vote, the Danbury Zoning Commission rejected the proposal to amend regulations to allow a homeless shelter to operate at the former Super 8 Hotel on Lake Avenue. The proposal by Pacific House involved using the former hotel as an 86-room shelter and a location where people experiencing homelessness would receive assistance. 

Several commission members referenced the comments made by the public as a determining factor in their decision against the shelter. What's troubling is that most of the public outcry was rooted in innuendo, vitriol, and overwhelming disdain for the city's homeless population.  

From disparaging remarks about Danbury's first African-American Chief of Police, claims of the city being involved in a cover-up, to the repeated and alarming allowance of unsubstantiated allegations and third-party hearsay comments, the commission was inundated with a barrage of vitriol against Pacific House and the homeless population, none of which was  germane to the proposal.  

The misguided ruling by the commission is a significant blow to Danbury's homeless population, as traditional shelters and warming stations are currently shut down due to COVID concerns. With colder temperatures and worries that the number of homeless could increase due to Gov. Lamont’s lifting of the eviction moratorium, residents who need our compassion the most will be thrown back on the street and into the shadows, away from the line of sight of NIMBY residents. 

Thankfully, due to the governor's executive order, the homeless facility will continue to operate until early next year; meanwhile, the newly sworn-in city officials must make homelessness their top priority and work with Pacific House to find an adequate solution to this unfortunate mess.