MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some residents of Memphis’s Cooper-Young are speaking out against an addiction rehabilitation home opening up in one of the neighborhood houses, saying they support the recovery home’s goal but have concerns about overcrowding and public safety, with some even considering legal action.
“A Vision for You Recovery” was set to start moving in residents in on Wednesday, but a citation from the city over a zoning issues has put that on hold.
Vision for You founders Tyler Bell and Marshall Wilson say they want to help provide a second chance for those battling drug addiction in the Memphis area.
“[We want to give] that next step into reacclimating into society, where they can be fully self-supporting,” Bell said. “They can obtain careers or jobs.”
Bell says they were set to open the support home on Nelson Avenue for those who have completed addiction treatment. But neighbors and even the city of Memphis say this isn’t the place for it.
“Several of the neighbors, I’m not sure the exact numbers…were pretty nasty to (Wilson) and they were like, ‘We don’t want you here,’” Bell said.
Shawn Hobbs, who lives in Cooper-Young, created a petition against the home, which more than 200 people signed. Hobbs claims the rehabilitation home is an “unlawful commercial business.”
“We need people out here doing this (kind of work),” Hobbs said. “It’s important to do this but I think going about it in a way that benefits both the people you’re trying to help and the neighbors around you is what we should be shooting for.”
Opponents of the home point to a lack of parking, with it expected to hold up to eight residents and three staff members. The house has no driveway and neighbors say there is only so much room to park on the street.
Hobbs worries the additional cars could invite more car break-ins.
“The owners moved out of the neighborhood because they had four or five vehicles and they were constantly getting broken into,” he said. “That will reintroduce the problem into the neighborhood.”
The city of Memphis issued a citation to A Vision for You courtesy saying:
“On July 3, 2024, a courtesy citation was issued for operating a rooming house at this address in violation of the Unified Development Code (UDC). Rooming houses are only permitted in this zoning district with a Conditional Use Permit.
Under the Unified Development Code (UDC), a Transitional Home is considered a social service institution used for the rehabilitation of persons, including alcohol and drug treatment. These Transitional Homes are only allowed by special use permit in certain commercial and industrial districts. Please let me know if you need additional assistance.”
Bell says they are covered under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, which prohibits housing discrimination. Furthermore, he believes their work can be the solution to so many of the problems facing Memphis.
“They’re not just addicts or junkies moving into the neighborhood, they’re people who struggle with addiction, who have kids, who have moms and dads, who have families,” he said. “And they’re trying to get their life back so they can be fathers and sons and good employees. And why would we not give them that shot?”
Bell said they'll continue to have conversations with Cooper-Young residents as they wait to hear what their next steps are moving forward from zoning and codes.