Neighbors and volunteers clash as council delays CDBG decision for Holy Trinity drop-in center

Newark City Council heard more than two dozen residents, volunteers and service providers on the question of whether a proposed $11,000 Community Development Block Grant subrecipient award to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church's drop-in center should stand. Council did not vote on Resolution 26-41 and instead held the item for further review at its next meeting and asked the finance committee to reconvene on August 3.

Patricia Perry, a volunteer with the drop-in and cofounder of New Acomis Outreach, presented a breakdown of public safety calls and disputed the figure often cited in opposition. "So if you break it all down, there wasn't 73 plus calls," Perry said, and she told council that only 24 calls fell during drop-in operating hours and only five were documented as substantive neighbor complaints. Street outreach worker Ashley Hughes argued the center is an essential access point: "This is an access point in the community," she said, adding that outreach workers have helped dozens of people into housing and treatment.

Opponents said neighborhood impacts have been severe. Sarah Phillips, who lives across the street from the church, described instances of people defecating and urinating on her yard and said neighbors had not been given prior notice of the center's operations. James Kissell, a property owner adjoining the church, said the drop-in has outgrown the site and urged council to consider relocating services or funding mitigation measures.

Several speakers urged a measured approach. Mason Blankenship, a local candidate and resident, asked that any zoning violations be identified in writing and that the council not repurpose funds without complete information: "If the center is violating zoning ordinances, the city should identify specific violation in writing," he said. Council President Marmee told attendees he would call a finance committee meeting for August 3 to gather more information and ensure fair process before a final vote.

Background: The item under discussion, Resolution 26-41, would authorize a CDBG-funded subrecipient agreement under Newark's FY2026 action plan. Members of the public and several volunteers said Holy Trinity followed the city's procedures for the award and noted that HUD had approved the center as a subrecipient. Opponents cited repeated police and emergency calls and neighborhood disturbances as reasons to pause the award; supporters said referrals, meals and other services have produced tangible client outcomes.

Next steps: Council scheduled additional committee review and asked city staff and the zoning administrator to provide any outstanding records. The resolution will be on the council agenda for the next meeting (August 3).