CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed transition home is sparking controversy in an East Brainerd neighborhood.
Nonprofit Broken Healer Ministries says that 90% of all young adults aging out of the foster care system are at risk of homelessness, and would like to address that issue with a home in the Shenandoah neighborhood off of Standifer Gap Road.
However, some of their neighbors say they are concerned about exactly what that proposal brings, as some of them say they are concerned about their safety.
Resident Tom DiMattio said, “I just don’t think this is appropriate. I can’t even think why anyone would think about this, criminals in our neighborhood.”
Nick: Several neighbors of the proposed home argued to the Regional Planning Agency that Broken Healer’s home would be akin to a halfway house, in which it is labeled as in the RPA application for the property.
It would house young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, which was cited by several as one concern.
Hamilton County Commissioner Lee Helton said he had fielded numerous calls from concerned residents, saying that the main issue was, “Uncertainty in what is just part of a gentle little neighborhood in my community.”
However, the founder of Broken Healer Ministries, Nirva Ache, says that this is a necessary program to help those leaving the foster care system adjust into society.
Ache said, “I would never, ever, put a halfway house in that neighborhood. My children grew up in that neighborhood… They are wanting a home. That’s all I want to do, provide them a home.”
Management adds that the concept of criminals being brought into this neighborhood is off base.
Dorothy, the manager of Broken Healer Home, said, “Anytime you have something, a good idea or a good mission, there’s going to always be opposition if they don’t understand what you’re doing. So if there’s a misunderstanding, they won’t understand that this is not a halfway house. This is a place for us to rally behind these kids and help them.”
The RPA voted against the project, however some on the board voiced their support for the Broken Healer Home.
RPA Vice Chair Chris Anderson said, “I hear over and over and over again, “You know this is really important, I really love this but you know what, not in my neighborhood… If Chattanooga, if Hamilton County is truly a place that really cares about other human beings, we need to really think about these things that we know we need, and everyone agrees that we need.”
This will go back in front of the Hamilton County Commission next month at their September 10th meeting.
