Group Home Owners’ Federal Suit Against City Of New Hope Dismissed

A lawsuit filed against the city of New Hope by a pair of group home owners was dismissed this week.

The owners requested compensation after the city revoked their rental licenses.

Not only did the city action result in lawsuits, but it also led to a change in state law that impacted how cities can regulate group homes.

The state legislature isn’t allowing cities to require rental licensing for group homes that serve six or fewer residents and meet certain state licensing requirements.

In the past, cities were free to require that these group homes met their rental licensing requirements.

CITY OF NEW HOPE GROUP HOMES

There were 65 group homes operating in New Hope in 2022.

At the time, city officials cited two as problem properties. One was located in the 3900 block of Wisconsin Avenue and one was located in the 3800 block of Boone Avenue.

City officials reported violence and rising calls to police as issues at the homes.

Police were called to the Boone Avenue property more than 60 times in 2022. In one case, a resident threatened a police officer with a poker tool, while in another, a resident threatened to stab a staff member with screwdriver.

The property manager, Sheikh Dukuly, told the council he couldn’t evict problem residents.

“I cannot kick a vulnerable adult out of the facility just because of disorderly conduct,” he said. “And I feel like this is putting me in a tough spot where I can no longer call the police.”

The city council eventually revoked the rental licenses for both facilities.

Dukuly and his brother, Sekou Dukuly, owned both the Boone and Wisconsin Avenue properties.

The pair sued the city in state court for housing discrimination.

That case was later dismissed by a judge.

The brothers later sued the city in federal court asking for damages for an “uncompensated taking” of their land.

A judge dismissed that case early this week.

“We are aware that the case has been dismissed and remain confident that the legal process has shown, and will continue to show, that the city’s actions were correct,” said a spokesperson for the city of New Hope.

CITY AMENDS LICENSING

The change to state law this year meant that New Hope was required to modify its rental licensing ordinance to align with state law.

New Hope City Council Member and mayor-hopeful Jonathan London voted against amending the ordinance, saying he wanted to send a message.

“The neighbors felt threatened. Numerous residents moved out of our city,” London said. “So it’s very likely then that, given then, if the same events occurred again, that we’ll just lose our residents. They’ll just move out of our city, and unsuspecting residents, as occurred, may move in and purchase the property, and then just be amazed at what they’re living next to.”

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SOURCE: CCX MEDIA