Committee backs $482,687 IHIP recommendation to help preserve group home for people with developmental disabilities

The Service, Safety and Parks Committee on Jan. 28 recommended that full council consider a $482,687 award from the city’s Inclusive Housing Investment Pool (IHIP) to Life Enrichment Options (LEO) to acquire and preserve an existing group home known in materials as Emily House.

Jen Davis Hayes, Economic Development Manager, told the committee the administration recommends capital funding of $482,687 from the IHIP program for LEO to acquire the property and continue using it as housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We are here to present a recommendation from the administration for the LEO … for funding of $482,687 from our IHIP program,” Davis Hayes said.

The proposed acquisition would preserve housing for four income‑qualified residents who currently live in the five‑bed home; the fifth bedroom is occupied by an on‑site caregiver who is not income‑qualified. Patrick, an ARCH staff member presenting with city staff, said the project would serve households earning roughly 30–40 percent of area median income and that the ARCH board…