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Hammond council approves 365‑day moratorium on new group‑living facilities after residents cite enforcement gaps
Summary
After hours of public comment and debate, Hammond’s City Council approved a 365‑day moratorium on accepting or processing applications for group homes and related group‑living facilities, 3–2, saying the pause will allow the city to adopt enforceable zoning and safety standards; disability advocates urged carveouts for state‑licensed facilities.
The Hammond City Council voted 3–2 on Dec. 9 to adopt a 365‑day moratorium on accepting and processing applications for group homes, group care and other group‑living facilities across the city.
Councilman Devon Wells, who introduced the moratorium, said the pause is needed because “we truly don't have no rules in place” and residents are seeing new group homes open without local oversight. Wells and other supporters pointed to recent police and fire responses to such properties and asked the council for time to write enforceable standards.
Disability advocates and licensed providers asked councilmembers to limit the moratorium. Kelly Monroe, executive director of The Arc of Louisiana, asked the council to “add language that excluded group…
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