NATCHEZ, Miss. –City officials are preparing new regulations to ensure group homes housing vulnerable adults are being properly run. Mayor Dan Gibson expressed concerns Tuesday about several residential neighborhood houses in Natchez becoming commercial ventures where “special-needs” adults are allegedly being abused.
“This will not happen in Natchez. … It will not happen under our watch,” Gibson said.
He said measures are being drafted for the Natchez Board of Aldermen to adopt next month to require these group homes to be reviewed in order to get city permits for their locations. These licenses could be revoked if found in violation of the state law aimed at protecting vulnerable people from being abused, neglected or exploited. The city regulations are also to ensure the homes are adhering to city fire codes, sanitation safeguards and maintenance standards, Gibson said.
The mayor noted complaints have been reported to him about group homes becoming neighborhood nuisances in wards represented by Aldermen Sarah Carter Smith and Curtis Moroney in central and south Natchez.
The Adams County Board of Supervisors earlier this month also heard a constituent’s grievance about a group home near his residence in the Natchez Indians Grand Village area. County board attorney Scott Slover said a federal law for disabled people prohibits local governments from zoning out group homes.
Comments