A local welfare agency that houses disabled students is girding for a fight with homeowners who object to the organization’s plan to locate in their neighborhood.
The Larkin Center for Children and Adolescents, which operates under contract to the state Department of Children and Family Services, filed papers Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago laying out the dispute and arguing that any attempt to block its plans would violate federal housing law.
Larkin intends to place eight students under its custodial care in a house on Koshare Trail in Elgin Township’s Catatoga subdivision. Each student is learning disabled or has a behavior disorder.
The documents say the subdivision’s homeowners association threatened to sue Larkin if it buys the house.
In a March 10 letter, the association said that Larkin’s plans were inappropriate because they represent a business use of the house. The letter said that would violate the subdivision’s covenants.
Larkin fired back in court, filing a request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the homeowners from taking legal action.
Jon Duncan, an attorney representing Larkin, said the homeowners’ efforts violate the Fair Housing Act, which prevents people from interfering with the housing plans of “protected classes,” including disabled people.