Hampton Council approves conditional use proposal to use single-family home as a group care home for 3 individuals

Hampton Council held a public hearing Aug. 13 to discuss the sale of a single-family home in the 2500 block of Hampton Road to a company planning to use it as a group care home.

Council members approved the conditional use application.

“The property is in a residential B zoning area, which does allow for group homes to house up to six residents. This proposal is for three individuals,” said Amanda Lukas, land use administrator for Hampton.

Council welcomed Jeff Lengel, the president and CEO of Residential Resources, who is purchasing the property.

“Residential Resources began operation in 1988 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide housing for individuals with disabilities,” Lengel said.

Lengel said Residential Resources does not provide the services to the individuals within the homes, they simply own the property. But they partner with other organizations who provide the care — in this case, it’s Pennsylvania Connecting Communities.

Kelly O’Malley, CEO of Pennsylvania Connecting Communities, spoke to council and the community members in attendance.

“We help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” O’Malley said. “This isn’t mental health or drug rehab. These are moderate- to high-functioning individuals with disabilities who have lived at home with their parents their entire lives. They were all educated in Hampton or your local public schools, and none of them have a criminal record.”

O’Malley introduced one of the individuals who will be living in the home.

“This is Joey. He is 66 years old, and his mother is 92 years old. His father passed away a few months ago. There comes a time when mom and dad can no longer provide care. We want to keep Joey in Hampton because this is his community. He grew up here, and his sister and her family still live here.”

After O’Malley finished speaking, the microphone was opened to residents who had questions about the property or the organizations.

Gary Hogue asked Lengel and O’Malley about any possibility of the location being used as home for drug or alcohol rehabilitation in the future.

Lengel said that if a resident would pass away or would need to leave the residence, then the house would be offered to other organizations, such as Pennsylvania Connecting Communities. If nobody was interested, then the property would be sold, he said.

O’Malley emphasized that her organization strictly focuses on helping individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and has zero relationships, funding or licensing with any other type of rehabilitation care, including drugs and alcohol.

“These are sweet people. Joey would never hurt anyone, and his roommate, 72-year-old Nancy, has been a longtime friend of his. These are two good citizens who give back to their communities in many ways,” O’Malley said.