(Nov. 30, 2016) In San Luis Obispo, California, neighbors were up in arms about a proposed affordable housing development slated for their city in the next two years. Citing concerns about illegal behaviors, residents appealed the proposal to convert the former Sunny Acres orphanage into housing for tenants with serious mental illness (SMI).
Despite reassurances that many residents would be higher functioning and supported with treatment, neighborhood residents met with the City Council recently to protest the house in their neighborhood. (San Luis Obispo Tribune,Abandoned Orphanage in SLO Will Be Converted into Home for Mentally Ill, (Nov 15.)
Justice prevailed and the council voted unanimously to approve the development as proposed.
Spearheaded by Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA), a provider of mental health services, the project will create 33 low-cost apartment homes for people with SMI. Through a partnership with the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo, TMHA plans to repurpose the former orphanage into rental units and provide much needed services such as supported employment, case management and peer-to-peer assistance. Protesting neighbors posited that it’s not a good use of tax payer money, the residents’ visitors could be problematic and other locations would make better sense for the facility.
TMHA’s executive director, Jill Bolster-White, related that there is no greater risk than with other kinds of neighbors, and that federal laws are in place to prevent discriminatory housing practices, such as the appeal suggests. (San Luis Obispo Tribune,Neighbor Appeals SLO Housing Project for Mentally Ill, (Nov. 14.) [California state planning and zoning law prohibits discrimination based on disability.]
On stigma, it’s a fact: People with SMI who are treated are no more violent than the general population. To learn more, read our Background Paper on stigma and SMI.
Bravo to the people of San Luis Obispo for defending the rights of those with SMI to have access to affordable housing, providing #aBedInstead.