Ypsilanti Township seeks court help in shutting down problematic halfway home
Ypsilanti Township may ask a Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge to help it close down what officials say is a boarding house for mentally ill residents who are operating a business in an improperly zoned home.
The home has been the source of significant problems for neighbors over the past several years, including an attempted break-in and a man masturbating in front of a 10-year-old girl.
Neighbors and township officials charge that the clients are prone to violent outbursts and are undersupervised.
The area is zoned R-5, which allows for single-family homes. Since the home, at 2063 McKinley, is allegedly rented to a non-profit corporation that sublets rooms to clients, it is essentially a boarding house, which isn’t allowed, said Mike Radzik, director of the office of community standards.
The home is owned by Odeh Farha, who owns the nearby Target 2 Party Store at the intersection of Congress Street and Hewitt Road. The residents in the home are supervised by Joak Homes, an Ann Arbor-based assisted living company.
A resident from a neighboring halfway home tried to force his way into Al Steven's home on McKinley Street.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
A notice of violation for the property was served to Farha, who said he was unaware of the zoning issues on Feb. 17. He assured township officials that Joak's lease expires at the end of May and the lease would not be renewed.
“The owner previously told us they were going to have house vacant by the end of May,” Building Director Ron Fulton said. “May has come and gone, now they are saying it might be July or August, and, based on the fact that they appear to be dragging their feet, we feel there is a need to expedite this in order to improve quality of life for neighbors in this community.”
Fahra recently told township building inspectors that the residents would be at the home until July or August, so the township is now asking a court to order the home vacated, if necessary.
“They are going around and looking for a house,” Fahra said, adding that Joak has showed him evidence of their search. “They need to find a place that is suited for these handicapped kids. For me, as a human being, I can’t throw these handicap kids out on the street. We can’t do that to them, so we’re waiting for them patiently to find a house.”
Fahra said he is aware the township could file suit and he said he has been promised several times in the last couple weeks by Joak that the residents would be moving. But he underscored that he won’t evict the residents immediately.
“I’m in the middle of this and I want to make everyone happy - the neighborhood, the parents, the county and the company. I’m stuck in the middle, but I cannot throw handicap kids on the street,” he said. “I’m trying to make everyone happy.”
A manager at Joak previously told AnnArbor.com that his company doesn’t rent the home, but one of the clients does. Clients are referred to the company through Washtenaw County Community Support and Treatment Services.
Officials also said Joak isn’t registered with the state and a manager from the company did not know if the home was registered with any state agency.
Comments
jns131
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
Happened over off of Ecorse at Harris. They were doing some wild things and yes, we got the petition going and called ordinance officials. Ended up in court where half of us did go to court, but before we got there? Judge called it. Been shut down for years. Keep up the petitions and the complaints. This too shall go away. Another neighborhood watch enforced.
Laura Brown
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
The residents are a primary concern for many of the neighbors. The "care" that they are being provided is such that they are in danger from themselves. The potential for violence between residents, or for a neighbor to feel threatened and cll the police is very high. They are living in unsafe conditions in terms of the building, and closing that house is the very last step on the part of the many neighbors who attempted to contact the operator of the "halfway" house and complain about the upkeep and the client issues. I have called the police when a resident was in the street in front of my house threatening another person. I wish that it had been a well maintained facility. I would not mind at all a home such as some I have seen run by Avalon housing or other reputable programs. This was way for an "agency" to make money off of warehousing an at-risk population. The current situation does not help the residents, and does not help the neighborhood.
April Griffin
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:51 a.m.
Do any of the moaners and complainers really have any clue what is involved in placing citizens who have a mental illness/ disability? I truly do understand the concern, and i get that there are safety issues, and that does need to be addressed, but these citizens do not ask to be this way. they don't have a choice, their parents did not have a choice. It's a hard life for them and their families. and sometimes placing them is not the choice of family, but an order of the court. The challenge is finding a home to meet the needs of the individual. there are so many factors involved that you can't just open the phone book or the news paper and find a place. Even the state website mentioned by Cash, is not a one stop shop for finding a place. trust me , as I have been trying for many months to find a place that would accommodate the needs of my own son, take Medicaid, be staffed 24 hours and not be a rat-hole, in a residential neighborhood setting . and oh yeah, has to be licensed by the state, per court order. Before you go looking down your noses and thinking the worst. I am not an addict, I didn't abuse drugs or alcohol while pregnant, and by the grace of God , have not been afflicted with a mental illness or disability. I also have 3 other children that were born "normal" and healthy. Just as many other mothers who have had to ask the same questions. WHY? When there is no simple or clear answer.
justsoyaknow
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
The only agency that bears any responsibility in the desicion of where the clients of community supports and treatment services live is.....community support and treatment services. If you want to know where these people are going to live instead of where they are now, you need to call csts and get each of their casemangers on the phone and ask where they are in th process of assisting their clients in finding alternative housing. The agency JOAK, nor the landlord have anything to do with this. The landlors would be just as happy renting to other people and the provider agency (JOAK) would not have done what they did with the sub leasing unless encouraged to do so by csts. csts is out of the business of funding anymore licensed group homes and have been encouraging providers to do this for years in order to pay the least amount of money for the support services they qualify for. Call the county, then do a story.
Joe_Citizen
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
I have been involved with trying to house the mentally ill and it has been a nightmare. BUT, there are no other solutions available. The main problem is if they are not supervised at all them there is a huge chance where ever they live will be in a crisis like this but worse. A mental patient left to there own devises is very dangerous indeed, and has proven to be hazardous to what ever neighborhood they reside. At least in a "half way" house they have something like supervision in which they seriously need, if you don't want your neighborhood to burn down or something like that. Like you said, the mental hospitals have been closed down, and there hasn't been anything to replace them, except expensive hospitals, prisons, and basic homelessness. This is the downfall of our society in a whole to not find we are responsible to give these challenged citizens a special place they can live in a healthy way for everyone's safe and healthy living situation. We have failed them, and we need to act on this as if they are human, and are in need of a place to be safe from themselves and others.
jns131
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 7 p.m.
There is a mental health facility off Towner. There are a lot of mental health facilities that do help the challenged. I hate to say it but this is really not the place for them. Some mentally ill do become violent and do need to be restrained. I wish that neighborhood luck.
Lovaduck
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
Grammar police "has shown" not "has showed".
Observer 2
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
These infractions of the law have been going on for many months. Some have endangered the wellbing of those living in the neighborhood, and not just that of Al Stevens. Why has it taken the township authorities this long to do somehting, and why are these same authorites still allowing the infractions tlo continue. The landlord is breaking the law and negatively affecting the tax paying neighbors daily by condoning the actions of those living in his hose. The company operating the "halfway house, is doing the same. Caring for those who cannot care for themselves is our duty, but not at the expense of even more people who live around them. Where are the poiice and the court? Hello!
Nancy Corfman
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
Knowing much about mental illness, depression, bi-polar and other mental diseases, there are a multitude of organizations that a person can turn to for help. The NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) is a great place to start. DBSA (Depression, Bi-Polar Support Alliance) is another wonderful organization for support. Their corporate offices are in Chicago, however, they also have support groups throughout Michigan and in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area. In addition, the Rachael Upjohn Center, located on Plymouth Rd in Ann Arbor, is another. They counsel all types of mental illness patient's and have a full staff of psychiatrists and psychotherapists on hand. A person can also contact the U-M School of Social Work and be paired with a student in the Masters program for counseling. Counseling costs are based on a sliding scale, depending on income. There's also the non-profit group Washtenaw County of Mental Health. When people don't know where to turn for help and the public is unaware of what is available, THAT'S when things become a problem.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
I see no DHS license for this home. http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/brs_afc/rs_afc.asp?name=&address=&cnty_name=WASHTENAW&city=&zip=&type=%25&lic_nbr=&Search=Search&sorry=yes%2C+yes&sorry=yes&offset=0
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
Ron, I agree. It is unfair to the residents. But it's probably unfair to the patients as well. While we have a community standards officer looking out for the residents, as they should be doing, who is looking out for the patients? While a business makes a profit, at what expense to the community and to the patients? That bothers me. Halfway houses, camp whatevers, homeless shelters and prisons = the new mental hospitals. We boot them out of one place, they have to go somewhere else.....and nothing really changes. But for the luck of the draw, one of those children could be one of mine...or yours. SMH....
15crown00
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
it's an ILLEGAL operation as it is now being run and that alone is enough to shut it down.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
Basic Bob, the 503c status has nothing to do with the fact it must be zoned for that operation, profit or not. A church is a 503c, but cannot be built in the middle of your sub without changing zoning.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
There is no for-profit business involved, unless you count the landlord. Joak is a non-profit providing assistance to the patients on behalf of the county. Mr. Radzik's allegations will not hold up in court but it may scare the landlord into renting it out to someone else. The next tenants might be a nice stable family, or maybe they will grow medical marijuana and have all-night parties, which is permissible.
Gerald
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
As mentioned I don't know if there is a real answer to this problem that would appease everyone. These are not "kids," though it shouldn't and doesn't make a difference, everyone needs to be somewhere, but institutionalized is not the answer. JOAK operated this home under the radar until its residents starting causing problems in the neighborhood. Blame the problems on staffing, blame the problems on the residents of the home, not sure where blame should be placed, but as in any residential setting the neighbors quality of life has been influenced by some and a resolution to the problem needs to be addressed. Alleged breaking and entering, masturbating in front of a 10 year old child, neighbors being confronted, something has to give as it would with any other home in any other neighborhood. Should the Township simply ignore the neighbors concerns and complaints because the occupants of the home are mentally challenged, not to mention it fails to meet zoning requirements? From the outside looking in it's easy for some to say shame on whomever until it directly infringes on them and theirs. No easy answers that will make everyone happy, one of those instances your darned if you do, you're darned if you don't.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Thanks Gerald.
Gerald
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
@Cash: Good morning to you. You are correct, no children, all adults. The article mentions "kids," statement is incorrect.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
Good morning. Do you know their are no children living in this home?
Ron Granger
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
These "halfway homes" are businesses operating in residential areas. Unfortunately, the state sticks them in neighborhoods all the time. And when they do it, residents have no choice but to accept their new commercial neighbors. Also, the commercial properties that get developed often drive up tax costs for residents, while driving down actual property values.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
Sounds like zoning ordinance will be enforced here, as it should be.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
The state did not stick the mentally ill client anywhere. In fact, the state has abandoned them. These mentally ill people have a right to rent houses, just because they get assistance from the county does not make them commercial. Perhaps some people get to pick their neighbors, most do not. If your neighbor wants to turn the house into a rental, that is his choice.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:03 p.m.
I thought it was illegal to look in your neighbor's window.
Lisa
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 11:25 a.m.
I just do not understand why we elect these people to stick there noses everywhere! We as people should also have a vote. Apparently no one on city council or township officials suffer from mental illness or have a friend or family member afflicted by mental illness. There are few funds available to assist families that may need a break .The rich get richer and can afford places to shove and rid there family members that suffer from mental illness.All funds cut so why instead of being bullies you and t at least make sugghink you know what is best make some suggestions of how this program could work. I left Ann Arbor for the same reasons know I see all you do in tis he township is fight and court . How about some idea's before you leap into he frying pan and actually hold a meeting with the neighbors to see how this could work.Mental Illness is a serious issue in our community . Maybe you should reopen State Hospitals?Mercy Wood
David Waligora
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
i would highly suspect the township is reacting to numerous resident complaints. If you're so compassionate to the helpless, why not offer your own hope as a replacement? More than likely the township is protecting the rights of those affected by the home, and not making more work for themselves.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 10:41 a.m.
I sympathize with the neighbors, I really do. But there are other issues.... The halfway house..... dumping ground for the mentally ill! Why call it a halfway house? Halfway between "what" and "what"? Halfway to WHAT? Going back "home"? I doubt it. And so where will these people be moved next? Will it be another place where they don't belong? Are they receiving proper meds? Is this home inspected? Interesting series of articles by Jeff Gerritt about how Michigan treats the mentally ill: http://www.freep.com/article/20120205/OPINION02/202050442 Mental illness....funny we never have a telethon for it, don't jog up and down main street for it, never talk about an awareness day for it....yet there it is, our dirty little secret. I'm the first to admit that I have no answers. Just know it is wrong that we went from mental hospitals to halfway houses and prisons.....with no real answers. Maybe there really aren't any answers.
Cash
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
Well said, Joe_Citizen. It's heartbreaking. "Back in the day" I recall an elderly lady I know who had her daughter the Ypsi State Hospital after having a breakdown, receiving a call "Hello Mrs____. Your daughter just hung herself with a belt in the bathroom. We need to know what to do with her body." Her daughter was a lovely young lady. But something went wrong with her brain. And that illness we not only don't understand, but we don't want to think about.
Joe_Citizen
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
I wholeheartedly agree. I have been involved with trying to house the mentally ill and it has been a nightmare. BUT, there are no other solutions available. The main problem is if they are not supervised at all them there is a huge chance where ever they live will be in a crisis like this but worse. A mental patient left to there own devises is very dangerous indeed, and has proven to be hazardous to what ever neighborhood they reside. At least in a "half way" house they have something like supervision in which they seriously need, if you don't want your neighborhood to burn down or something like that. Like you said, the mental hospitals have been closed down, and there hasn't been anything to replace them, except expensive hospitals, prisons, and basic homelessness. This is the downfall of our society in a whole to not find we are responsible to give these challenged citizens a special place they can live in a healthy way for everyone's safe and healthy living situation. We have failed them, and we need to act on this as if they are human, and are in need of a place to be safe from themselves and others.