The Effingham City Council will discuss recovery homes and high-occupancy residences during this week’s meeting after hearing community concerns regarding Oxford House: A shared residence for those in recovery from substance use disorder in a drug-free environment.
The city approved the first Effingham Oxford House in the 1000 block of West Virginia Avenue after it passed fire and building inspections, according to City Administrator Steve Miller.
While the plan commission was discussing whether or not Oxford House is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a second Oxford House in the 800 block of North Glenwood Street was established before addressing any zoning regulations with the city, Miller said.
City officials have been reviewing the language related to group homes to determine if Oxford House is similar. Miller said one key difference is that group homes are supervised, while Oxford House is not.
“According to Oxford House, they have indicated that sober or drug-related individuals are a protected class, and that we have to make accommodations for them,” said Miller. “If they’re a protected class by the federal government, you can’t discriminate against the group. That’s their argument.”
“At this time, I’m not in a position to answer questions for your article,” A.J. Dunaway, regional manager for Oxford House, Inc. wrote in response to an email from the Effingham Daily News. “I would encourage you to visit oxfordhouse.org for general information about Oxford House.”
“The philosophy behind Oxford House is three-fold: [1] self-help is the bedrock of recovery, [2] disciplined democracy is key to living together, and [3] self-support builds efficacy in sobriety comfortable enough to avoid relapse,” the web site says.
After the second Oxford House was established in Effingham, some neighbors voiced concerns to the city council. That spurred officials to include the discussion item on this week’s agenda to receive feedback from the community.
State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, and State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, are raising concerns about Oxford Houses.
“The whole reason we have zoning laws is to protect residents from situations just like this,” Niemerg said in a press release. “Families in this neighborhood deserve to feel secure in their homes, especially with young children playing nearby.”
“Adam and I urge residents to attend the meeting and make their voices heard,” Halbrook said in the release. “It’s crucial for area families to stand together as a community to protect our neighborhoods and ensure that local zoning laws are respected. I have no issue with Oxford House’s mission. I am sure they do good work. But these homes do not belong in single family neighborhoods.”
Police Chief Kurt Davis said there have not been any problems caused by either of the two Oxford Houses.
Corey Maltby moved into the West Virginia Avenue Oxford House at the end of January after getting out of rehab. While Maltby was in rehab, someone referred him to Oxford House Outreach Worker Tommy Alsobrooks, who had discussed the Houses during an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Maltby says being sober is a lot less stressful because he’s “not having to look over my shoulder because I’m worried because I’m doing the wrong thing or anything like that. You know you’re doing good, and you’re trying to move in the right direction. It gets a little bit less stressful.”
Malby is working on finding a job and getting situated. He’d like to find a job in construction or landscaping, but he’s looking everywhere. He has connections at a few fast-food restaurants in town, so he’s pursuing those connections, as well.
“It’s really kind of like a breath of fresh air because I don’t have to worry about finding my next drink or worry about the cops pulling me over because I’m drunk and driving or anything,” said Malby. “It’s really like a breath of fresh air.”
The city council will discuss recovery homes and high-occupancy residences during its Feb. 3 meeting at 5 p.m.