Zoning/Codes Restriction for Transitional Housing

[Betty Schwear]

I am located in PA and am trying to purchase a property to rent to an organization that provides transitional living and services to individuals. Zoning denied the purchase of a 19 bed property that was previously used as an assisted living facility for the following reasons:

1. The property was vacant to long therefore a variance would need to be applied for and more than likely not granted because it was in a residential neighborhood. 

2. The neighbors would object to this type of facility in their neighborhood. 2 years later this property is still vacant and becoming more blighted. 

Another property in a commercially zoned area, currently used a a SFH, was also shot down, because the property would need to be brought up to commercial codes. So how do you widen a staircase from the early 1900s to accommodate both foot traffic and a stair type escalator for handicapped people, even though the residents are not handicapped?

There is also a building that is blighted that had been a convent and would be idle to convert, but I have been told they will not approve the usage for that neighborhood. 

Is this discrimination by zoning/codes?