Judge Orders New York City to Move Mentally Ill Out of Large, Institutional Housing

A decision in Disability Advocates, Inc. v. David A. Paterson, by Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, followed his ruling in September that the conditions at more than two dozen privately run adult homes in New York City violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by leaving approximately 4,300 individuals with mental illness isolated in warehouse like conditions. The remedial plan offered by Judge Garaufis, drawn from a proposal presented by advocates was backed by the Justice Department, calls on New York to develop at least 1,500 units of supported housing a year for the next three years in New York City. That would give nearly all residents the opportunity to move out of adult homes. The state is considering an appeal, according to a one-sentence statement from Governor Paterson's officer.