HELPPP!! Fair Housing Act, Americans with disabilities act

[Charles Kappe]

I am having some issues with the township and some surrounding neighbors and wanted to see if someone could help. I own a recovery/sober living house. 10 members live in the 5 bedroom home unrelated. The township is giving us some issues due to the borough doesn't allow no more than 3 unrelated tenants in a property. No one is on a lease it is a self run sober living home for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Is anyone familiar with the ADA or fair housing act and it would allow us to be covered to allow this house to have all 10 members in the home without an issue. It's just a normal house everyone cooks, cleans, works and participates in the community as a family but no one is related. They are making it very hard for us to live here. Can anyone help???

Thank you,

Charles Kappe

[Jon Holdman]

I truly and personally appreciate the sort of service you're providing. Such a service has been a godsend to a close family member. But you still have to conform to local zoning regulations.  My advice would be to find a different property.  You're violating zoning regulations.  ADA and Fair Housing does not give you the right to violate municipal ordinances.  

The alternative is to try to work with the city to allow a variance for your facility.  Maybe they will, maybe they won't.  Unfortunately, this is something you should have done earlier.  Now that the neighbors and city are riled up you'll have a hard time moving them over to your side.