UPDATE: Haven of Mercy in Johnson City remains open following emergency injunction

A chancery court judge in Washington County, Tennessee has granted the operator of the Haven of Mercy homeless shelter a temporary reprieve from vacating its Johnson City base.

The injunction was granted Friday during an emergency hearing and gives the shelter operator Grant Rockley more time to work with the city Board of Dwelling Standards whose inspectors reported more than 100 code violations last month when they ordered the building closed.

The faith-based group has posted a plea for financial assistance this week to help keep their doors open to more than 70 individuals who they said had no place to shelter from the winter cold.

Another court hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 1.

(IMAGE: ST 929 Archives)