Federal judge allows Houston group to continue feeding homeless people in downtown Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A federal judge granted a permanent injunction this week allowing a Houston group to keep feeding homeless people outside the city's Central Library in downtown Houston, handing a victory to volunteers who have fought the city in court for years.

Food Not Bombs gathers at the Central Library, near City Hall, about four times a week to feed anyone who needs a meal. Houston police issued warnings and tickets to volunteers to push the group away from the area.

In 2024, Aliene Adams was among those who took the city to court.

"They're criminalizing people who are trying to help people," Adams said. "The other day we had 6 police, 6. It's ridiculous."

On Friday, she joined other activists to mark the win.

"I'm beyond thrilled with this ruling," Adams said. "I think it's long overdue, and actually I took a ticket and went to court, and got it dismissed."

Attorney Randall Kallinen said the city ordinance allowing police to write tickets for feeding homeless people outdoors passed during Mayor Annise Parker's tenure, enforcement ramped up under Mayor Sylvester Turner, and the court battle has continued under Mayor John Whitmire. In the meantime, tickets often got dismissed when volunteers challenged them in court.

"As ridiculous as it seems, the city had created a law where you couldn't feed people outdoors without permission," Kallinen said.

The permanent injunction means volunteers can continue to feed homeless people downtown, Kallinen said. But the fight is not entirely over. The judge has asked both sides to work out reasonable arrangements, such as ensuring no trash is left behind.

"This is a significant First Amendment victory," one person involved in the case said.

ABC13 reached out to the City of Houston for a response and to ask whether it may appeal the ruling. The city had not responded as of Friday.