St. Louis, MO  (KTRS)  Reverend Larry Rice plans to fight the city’s latest action to close his homeless shelter. The city has ordered the New Life Evangelistic Center to stop operating, citing an occupancy permit violation.

Rice calls this move by the city harassment. “I really feel this is actually a calculated effort because they haven’t been able to prevail in the courts to try to shut us down.”

St. Louis Alderwoman Lyda Krewson says she supports the city’s action. “We have to do better for our most vulnerable citizens. For them to basically be living on the sidewalk, except at night when they are allowed back in the shelter is not anyway to have a life. We need to provides services for them so they can get back on their feet.”

NLEC does offer a day shelter for women and children.

The city has been operating without a permit since May of 2015. Rice says his attorney is in the process of filing an appeal.