Inclusion Daily Express -- Laguna Honda Settlement Means Community-Based Housing For Thousands

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Laguna Honda Settlement Means Community-Based Housing For Thousands
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
December 10, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA--Hundreds of current and potential residents of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center will be given the choice to live in the community because of a landmark disability rights settlement announced November 27.

California's Protection and Advocacy, Inc. announced the settlement in a case filed against the City and County of San Francisco on behalf of six Laguna Honda residents with disabilities. That suit, also brought by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, AARP Foundation Litigation, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and the law firm of Howrey LLP, claimed that the residents were illegally segregated in the nursing facility, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with no chance to use their long-term care money for in-home supports.

The settlement, which still must be approved by the San Francisco Health Commission, the Board of Supervisors and the federal district court, would establish a new program called "Success at Home." The program would establish 500 accessible housing units over the next five years for Laguna Honda residents and people who would be at risk of being institutionalized at the facility.

Officials said the community-based housing would save the city and county a lot of money in the long run.

Lead plaintiff Mark Chambers, 48, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is looking forward to moving into his own home soon.

"I'm excited to have a chance to live in the community, and that other people will have that chance too," said Chambers, who has been at Laguna Honda since he sustained a brain injury in 1999.

The 138-year-old Laguna Honda Hospital is the oldest nursing facility in California. With more than 1,000 beds, it is the largest publicly owned nursing home in the United States.

In October 2001, approximately 600 disability rights activists from ADAPT and other groups from across the country gathered in San Francisco to protest the city's plans to rebuild the aging facility. The U.S. Department of Justice said in May 2003 that San Francisco violated the rights of people housed at Laguna Honda by not providing them with the choice to live in the community.

Related:
"Settlement of San Francisco lawsuit to create new community services for seniors and adults with disabilities" (Protection & Advocacy, Inc.)
http://www.pai-ca.org/news/LHH/LHHPressRelease-2007-11-27.pdf
"Laguna Honda Hospital -- Largest Nursing Home In US" (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/institutions/ca/lagunahonda.htm

Copyright © 2007 Inonit Publishing
Please do not reprint, forward, or post without permission.

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