Group Homes In Richmond

Transcription

1 September 2001 Group Homes In Richmond Prepared for Richmond residents by the Group Home Task Force Contents Page 1 Introducing the Richmond Group Home Task Force Page 2 About group homes in Richmond Page 4 Operation of group homes Page 6 Impact of group homes on the neighbourhood Page 7 Moving forward with community input Introducing the Richmond Group Home Task Force The Group Home Task Force is a 10-member working group appointed by Richmond City Council in April 2001 to formulate a recommended policy for new group homes with 7-10 persons in care. The Task Force was formed to provide a vehicle for Richmond City Council to address issues about group homes in the City. These issues were highlighted by public reaction to the Turning Point Recovery Home that moved from Adams Place to Odlin Road in Turning Point is a recovery home for people with alcohol and drug addictions. Neighbours of Turning Point were concerned because they were not consulted before the home was located in their area, and they were unsure about the impact of such a home on their neighbourhood. In addition, changing provincial legislation meant that the City needed to consider changes to their own group home policy. Recommendations from the Task Force, to be presented to City Council at the end of October 2001, will include a model for community input into the location of group homes and a City process for the consideration of new group homes in Richmond.

2 Group Homes in Richmond Page 2 About groups homes in Richmond What is a group home? A group living arrangement which provides boarding and/or lodging for persons with special needs arising from physical, mental or emotional challenges. A residential care environment developed for the personal rehabilitation of its residents through self-help and/or professional care and guidance, and any other appropriate services. Members of the Task Force Three nominees of the Association of Richmond Homeowners: Alexander Kostjuk Kelly Lam John Wong Bosco Choi, Alternate Two nominees of the Richmond Community Services Advisory Council: Brenda Reynolds Brian Wardley One nominee of the Vancouver-Richmond Health Board Everett Mackenzie Four Richmond residents selected randomly from the 2001 Assessment Roll of residential property owners, who are living in Richmond and are eligible to vote: Janet Corbett Cecilia Tanne Janet Tyler Yisong Yu How did group homes begin in Richmond? The City of Richmond has a tradition of inclusiveness and has always looked for ways to support those with special needs. With the advent of de-institutionalization the philosophy of housing persons needing specialized care in smaller, home-like settings in their communities rather than large institutions Richmond received a number of requests from organizations and private operators to establish group homes in the community. In 1988, there were nine group homes in the community. In the early 1990 s there was a large increase in the number of group homes in Richmond, as a result of the downsizing of institutions like Woodlands and Riverview. Today there are 32 group homes in Richmond, a number which has been relatively stable for the last 10 years. Who are served by group homes? Those needing care, supervision, educational training, physical or mental rehabilitative therapy. Clients may include pregnant women, abused women, youth, people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions, and those with disability who are on income assistance. What type of group homes exist here? Of the 32 group homes in Richmond, 24 are for 1-6 persons in care and eight are for 7-10 persons in care. Group homes in Richmond: 21 group homes for the mentally challenged with a total of 84 residents + 5 mental health facilities with a licensed capacity for a total of 45 persons in care + 4 residential group homes for a total of up to 24 children + 1 continuing care facility for up to 10 clients + 1 drug and alcohol recovery home licensed for 9 residents = 32 group homes in Richmond for up to 172 persons in care

3 Page 3 What is the difference between group homes for the mentally challenged and mental health facilities? Group homes for the mentally challenged serve those people who were tested by a registered psychologist at 18 years of age or less, and were determined to be mentally challenged. Mental health facilities serve those people suffering from mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, delirium disorders and others. Current Policy Framework and Regulations for Group Homes Note: the Group Home Task Force will be recommending a policy for group homes with 7-10 persons in care only (area shaded light blue in the table below) because the City has the ability to manage the location of these homes through a variety of means, including the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws. For group homes with 1-6 persons in care, the Community Care Facility Act enables the Regional Health Authority to issue a license for any location, as long as it meets City fire and health standards. Facilities with 11+ persons in care, because of their larger size and scale, are subject to a rezoning process when locating in residential areas. Number of Persons in Care Provincial License Requirement Existing City Regulations & Jurisdiction Building Code Compliance 1-6 Residential Care Home License Considered special needs housing and permitted in all districts zoned for residential use See below 7-10 Residential Care Facility License Permitted in all districts zoned for residential use City Group Home Policy provides guidelines on location and operation City can regulate through its Official Community Plan, zoning, building bylaw requirements City does not require a rezoning or public hearing process City fire and health requirements for single family homes. Group homes also need: Sprinkler system Emergency lighting Fire separation at garage 11+ Institutional Facility License City requires a rezoning and public hearing process Assembly Occupancy Standards of National Building Code apply

4 Group Homes in Richmond Page 4 How are group homes funded? Most group homes have a funding program through such organizations as the Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCF), Mental Health, and Continuing Care, which are associated with the operation of a particular home. Among the 32 group homes in Richmond, 13 are paying city residential property taxes and 19 have been exempted because they are operating as non-profit societies. However, all group homes are required to pay city water and sewer charges based on usage. The Group Home Task Force has met 14 times since it was formed in April Meetings have been used to gather information about group homes. To facilitate this process, the Task Force has had presentations from many people, including: Group home operators and residents Representatives of Richmond Health Services Social Planners A member of the recovery community Neighbours of the Turning Point Recovery Home What is excluded from the group home category? Schools Hospital Act facilities Mental Health Act facilities (for involuntary admission and treatment) Correctional centres Youth custody centres Foster homes Transition houses Detoxification centres Operation of group homes Licensing & Inspections Richmond Health Services, under the auspices of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, operates as the co-ordinator of applications for group homes, and administers the Community Care Facility Act in Community Care Licensing. On behalf of the province, it issues approval of licenses to applicants or rejects them in consultation with municipal departments and sponsoring agencies, as appropriate. After the issuance of an initial Community Care Facility Interim Permit, the premises are monitored and inspected by Licensing staff (minimum four times over a one-year Interim Permit). Once the facility receives a full Community Care Facility License, it is inspected a minimum of two times per year by Licensing staff.

5 Page 5 The Good Neighbour Policy provides for: Contact with the local neighbourhood (at least five houses on each side of the group home) to identify program intent, address issues and concerns in a productive and problem-solving manner, and provide key contact people to address problems or issues; Maintenance and renovation according to neighbourhood standards and carried out in the least disruptive manner; Ongoing contact with the neighbourhood including staff trained to act like good neighbours, dealing with issues immediately, and having group home residents become part of the neighbourhood. (Source: Ministry of Social Services and Housing Guidelines for Group Home Operators, PL ) City of Richmond Group Home Policy (current) The current Group Home Policy identifies the City s preferences for a range of group homes to locate throughout the community without a concentration in one area, and sets out a good neighbour procedure to facilitate communication between the group home operator and the immediate neighbours. The policy guidelines are voluntary and not legally enforceable. Location Criteria Not within 200 m. ( ft.) of another group home, with a maximum of four group homes per quarter section Close to transit routes, shopping, recreation and health facilities, schools or community services, depending on the nature of the clientele Dwellings to be compatible with the form and scale of the surrounding neighbourhood Design Criteria On suitably-sized lots to allow for adequate setbacks from property lines, and provision of outdoor open space At least two off-street parking spaces Lot to be screened from adjacent properties, either with landscaping or fences Internal design to be suitable to residents needs and conform to the applicable regulations of the Community Care Facility Act Zoning Permitted use in all residential districts Good Neighbour Policies City supports the specific Guidelines for Group Home Operators which has been prepared by the Ministry of Social Services and Housing Zoning Management Approach in other municipalities Several municipalities in the Lower Mainland consider group homes that accommodate more than six residents in care as institutional uses and require rezoning to some form of non-residential zone (usually an institutional or special care zoning district). Three municipalities direct drug and alcohol recovery facilities to a zone that is different from those used to accommodate other types of residential care facilities.

6 Group Homes in Richmond Page 6 Screening of residents of group homes Under Section 4(1.1) of the Provincial Adult Care Regulations, licensees must establish and follow an admission screening procedure that a) ensures accommodation only to those persons for whom safe and adequate care can be provided, and b) takes into consideration i) staffing, ii) facility design, construction and equipment iii) the health, safety and well-being of other residents, and iv) any criteria set by the funding program. Agendas and Minutes of the Group Home Task Force meetings are available online at the City of Richmond s website ( by following the Hot Links to Group Home Task Force. In addition, most sponsoring agencies of group homes such as MCF, Mental Health, and Continuing Care, also screen prospective clients prior to recommending their placement in a facility. The City of Richmond does not screen group home residents, as it does not have the authority to do so. Group home managers and their qualifications The prospective manager must submit qualification documentation to Community Care Licensing, including an application for assessment of qualifications, a physician s certificate stating the individual is in good health and physically and mentally capable of carrying out his/her duties, a valid first aid certificate, and a completed authorization for criminal record check form (for child care facilities only). The documentation is reviewed by Licensing. The prospective manager then undergoes a suitability interview with Licensing staff and a representative of the funding program (if applicable). Impact of group homes on the neighbourhood Home ownership is perhaps the most significant investment made by any individual or family. All homeowners seek assurance that their investment is secure and that if and when they decide to sell their home, its value will not be negatively affected by their neighbours properties. Recent demographic changes in the Richmond area have led to concerns that property values will be negatively impacted by the presence of group homes. While studies have not been conducted in Richmond itself, related studies suggest that no negative impact exists. In 1990 the Council of Planning Librarians published a document which reviewed 56 varied research works in the USA and Canada dealing with the effects of group homes and treatment facilities on the neighbourhood in which they are placed. 1

7 Page 7 The accumulated evidence suggested that the presence of group homes in all the areas has not lowered property values or increased turnover, has not increased crime, and has not changed the character of the neighbourhood. The homes have not deteriorated or become conspicuous landmarks. Communities have come to accept them, and group home residents have benefited from access to community life. In 1995, the BC Ministry of Housing commissioned a study under the direction of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) Task Group to study the impact of five non-market family townhouse developments and two group homes on the property value of surrounding homes. 2 The seven locations studied throughout BC included Nanaimo, Surrey, North Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Vancouver, and Esquimalt. Why are group homes important? Group homes offer an important service to their residents by providing both short and long-term living arrangements and program support. Whether it be affordable and safe housing, skills training, peer support and counselling, or simply an opportunity to live independently, group homes allow residents to live normal lives in their community. In all seven cases, the appraisers found no evidence that the presence of the townhouse development or special needs homes negatively affected the sale price of homes in the impact area. There was also no evidence of panic selling or extraordinary length of time on the market between the dates of listing and sale. Moving forward with community input Objectives of any revised City group home management framework To support the City of Richmond s Vision of creating a livable, appealing and well managed City and diverse neighbourhoods To continue to support a full range of group home developments in the community To take into account the respective authority of the provincial Community Care Facility Act and the City s policies and regulations To respect the rights of group home residents to live in the community while recognizing the needs of adjacent neighbours, including adequate input and consultation To ensure consistency among the City s Official Community Plan, policies and Zoning Bylaw 1 (Source: There Goes the Neighbourhood - A summary of studies addressing the most often expressed fears about the effects of group homes on neighbourhoods in which they are placed published by Council of Planning Librarians - CPL Bibliography 259. Check the City of Richmond website for copy of the publication) 2 (Source: Toward More Inclusive Neighbourhoods - Property Values Unaffected by Non- Market House Guide produced by the Ministry of Housing. Tel )

8 Group Homes in Richmond Page 8 Major considerations for group homes with 7-10 persons in care Location criteria Neighbourhood communication and consultation Zoning bylaws and/or regulations Communication process with all stakeholders Your role as a resident of Richmond Group Homes in Richmond was produced by the Group Home Task Force to help inform residents about different aspects of group homes. Members of the Task Force invite you to send comments and suggestions pertaining to their mandate before the end of September to: What comes next? Following the public consultation meetings in September 2001, the Task Force will prepare its report and recommendations for presentation to Council by October 31, Recommendations will include a model for community input into the location of group homes and a City process for the consideration of new group homes in Richmond. Richmond Group Home Task Force c/o City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6Y 2C1 Tel Fax grouphome@city.richmond.bc.ca Please include your name, residential address and telephone/ contacts with your submission. Your contribution will be very much appreciated. The Task Force has also planned a series of public consultation meetings in September 2001 where you may offer your comments or suggestions. All residents of Richmond are invited to attend. Date Time Place 1. Wed., Sept. 5th 7 PM - 9:30 PM Hamilton Community Centre, Multipurpose Room 5140 Smith Drive 2. Tues., Sept. 11th 7 PM - 9:30 PM City Hall, Council Chambers 6911 No. 3 Road 3. Thur., Sept. 20th 7 PM - 9:30 PM West Richmond Community Centre, Cyprus Lions Room 9180 No. 1 Road 4. Thur., Sept. 27th 7 PM - 9:30 PM East Richmond Community Hall Cambie Road 5. Sat., Sept. 29th 11 AM - 1:30PM South Arm Community Centre, Front Multipurpose Room 8880 Williams Road Please join us A Chinese translation of this document is also available. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in Group Homes in Richmond prior to publication. To keep it concise and comprehensive, only key facts from policies and procedures have been included. Additional information on the work of the Task Force is available from the City of Richmond website: by following the Hot Links to Group Home Task Force. City of Richmond 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1 Telephone: Fax: