Danbury Zoners To Hold Public Hearing On Homeless Shelter

DANBURY, CT — The Zoning Commission will be holding a public hearing Tuesday evening on a controversial application to turn a former city motel into a permanent homeless shelter.

The Super 8 Motel on Lake Avenue Extension has been the home to many of the city's homeless population since March 2020. The state began paying for accommodations for the homeless there at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Connecticut provided federal funding to Pacific House, a Stamford-based nonprofit, to purchase the Super 8 in April. The city's traditional homeless shelters were unable to accommodate the residents due to health restrictions imposed in congregant living facilities by the state, following the virus outbreak.

Organizers for residents opposed to the move say they want an independent service to "assess the negative impact and danger to the children in the surrounding communities," according to their website, Protect Our Children.

An online petition, claiming that "[t]his mega shelter is unnecessary and poses a substantial risk to the safety of our community" has been signed by 736 residents as of Monday afternoon.

The proposal calls for 48 supportive housing units, and 38 rooms to be assigned in emergency situations.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, via Zoom.