Council talks adult homes

At a Mental Health Committee meeting on Oct. 28, members of the City Council heard testimony urging them not to appeal a federal court ruling from nearly two months ago calling adult homes such as Riverdale Manor, located at 6355 Broadway, unlawful.

In a Sept. 8 decision, U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis ruled that these homes are institutions that fail to meet an Americans With Disabilities Act standard which calls for mentally disabled people to be housed in the most “integrated” setting possible. Instead, the judge found that these institutions keep residents isolated and away from life outside their walls.

The ruling called for residents of the homes to be relocated to appropriate residential housing where they would still be able to receive support, though they would have more independence and be more integrated in the community.

The City Council is currently drafting the resolution in support of the ruling, said City Councilman Oliver Koppell, who added that he will probably support it, though he has his reservations.

Finding enough space to house all the residents will be difficult, Mr. Koppell said, adding that he was also worried about additional costs, such as healthcare, when former residents were living on their own.

“I support the concept,” Mr. Koppell said. “I think these adult homes are not the best places to live, but it’s going to be a difficult transition.”

This is part of the November 5, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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