Proposed Group Home for Disabled Adults Put on Hold

Representatives from Our House, together with Department of Community Services Director Beth Kinney, presented a proposal at the Summit City Council meeting Tuesday evening asking for the city's assistance in funding a group home for four developmentally disabled adults at 43 Glendale Road.


Founder and chief executive officer of Our House, Michele Wernsing, and housing coordinator, Gia Gore, asked that the city put $400,000 from the Summit Fair Housing Trust Fund toward the purchase of a ranch on Glendale Road that would serve as a group home with a 24-hour-a-day staff. The cost of the home, which Our House is under contract to purchase, is $525,000. Our House plans to ask the state for an additional $250,000 to make up the difference and then pay for renovations, Gore stated.

Wernsing explained that the mission of Our House Inc. is to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals while also offering them a safe living environment with an opportunity for both employment and volunteer work. She added that Our House, with 14 units currently in Summit, has had a good relationship with the City dating back to 1981.

Gore and Kinney said the proposal could be mutually beneficial as they "believe" the four units would count toward the City's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligations. 

Summit Housing Authority Chairman Richard Poole spoke in favor of the proposal and said he supports specialty housing for those with special needs.

Mayor Ellen Dickson and Councilman Gregory Drummond both asked if the homeowners who neighbor the property were aware of the prospect of it becoming a group home. 

Wernsing and Gore said that because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) and Fair Housing regulations, they cannot disclose any information about the individuals who would reside at that location. They said they can answer general questions about Our House but cannot speak specifically about the potential residents.

Dickson expressed concern that the cul-de-sac would see more traffic that it previously had as a result of staffing and shift changes during each 24-hour period. Wernsing and Gore said that a maximum of four cars would be at the property at one time, similar to what the present homeowner currently has. 

Drummond moved to table the decision until the Council's next meeting on Oct. 1. 

When asked, Wernsing and Gore said without the $400,000 from the City, it would be challenging to move forward with the purchase of the home. If everything were approved on Oct. 1, they said they believe they would have sufficient time to go ahead with the purchase but would need to make additional inquiries.

Dickson and Drummond agreed that they wanted more time to allow for a chance to drive by the location. 

The council will meet next at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1 at City Hall.