Neighbor describes arson at harm-reduction home; council asks staff to follow up

During the meeting's public comment period, a resident told the council that a dwelling used for harm-reduction housing near Concord and 70th Street was the scene of an arson on May 21 and raised questions about oversight, maintenance and public safety.

Mark Ross, who gave his address during public comment, said the home he described is neither a licensed group home nor a halfway house but functions as a harm-reduction residence where people in recovery or transitioning to community life stay. He said he and a nearby neighbor were woken by a fire at the house in the early morning hours. "We had an incident happen there on May 21 in which a home was burned ... due to arson of a resident inside the home," Ross said.

Ross told councilors he and neighbors were unsure under what state or local guidance such homes operate and asked the city to investigate who oversees these residences and whether they require different state approvals. He described concerns about property maintenance and the possibility that multiple such homes could cluster in a neighborhood, and asked the council to have staff look into the matter.

Mayor Dietrich asked Ross to provide contact information to the clerk; staff said they were already looking into the situation and would follow up. "I don't know that it would be the city attorney, but I will find out who would be the most appropriate person to handle this and find out whose purview these harm reduction type homes are under," the mayor said. The resident said the home is close to a daycare and expressed concern for children and neighbors.

Staff committed to follow up with the resident and indicated the city would determine the appropriate agency or office to investigate oversight and potential enforcement options.