NEIGHBORS UNEASY OVER PROSPECT OF RECOVERY HOUSE

Most would agree it's a noble idea: a home in a residential
neighborhood where women recovering from substance-abuse problems
could take their final steps toward getting back on their feet and
into society.

Most would agree, that is, until someone suggests the home be on their
street.

That seems to be what is unfolding in a Naperville neighborhood.
Addison's Serenity House, a recovery program for substance abusers,
apparently is weighing buying a single-family residence there to use
as a temporary home for women who have finished drug treatment.
Organizers are calling the facility a "three-quarter house,"
suggesting the residents would be further along in their recovery than
those in a halfway house.

News of plans for a residence in the 1000 block of Alder Lane recently
came to the attention of neighbors. Now, the homeowners want
Naperville officials to address their fears, including where up to
eight women who are re-entering the work force will park their cars
and what will happen if the not-so-recovered boyfriend of a resident
shows up for a weekend visit.

"We're definitely concerned about safety," said Rusins Albertins, who
has lived on the Alder block since 1970. "This is a veritable baby
factory here, kids everywhere. This is a prime residential lot in a
single-family neighborhood."

That, of course, is the idea behind the home. Women who have finished
treatment would be placed in "normal" surroundings, according to
organization officials.

Serenity House leaders this week would not comment on how far along
they are in their consideration of the house purchase. Neighbors on
Alder said they will be at Tuesday's meeting of the Naperville City
Council to ask some questions.

Over the summer, Serenity House was granted $110,000 in DuPage County
housing funds toward buying a home in Naperville. Naperville
previously had committed $50,000 in community block grant funds toward
the plan, money that city officials said was offered with the
understanding that it would be used for a home in a residential setting.

"The women who come to this home will be women who already have gone
through treatment," said Serenity House Director Henry Tews at the
time the grant was promised. "This is the final and last stage before
they move into self-sufficiency."

Tews, who was unavailable for comment Thursday, has said up to eight
women would live in the residence, one serving as a "peer leader." It
is expected each woman could remain there for six months or longer.

Naperville officials said no one at City Hall is shepherding the Alder
Lane plan, which does not appear to face any zoning problems. Bob
Kallien, community development director, said a facility of the size
and scope being discussed is legal in any residential zoning district
in the city and is not required to register with city officials.
However, residential-care sponsors must have the appropriate licenses.

Kallien said a similar home in town near the East-West Tollway and has
not been a problem. Officials said Serenity House has been in contact
with the city's Fire Department and building inspectors.

Kallien said his office will have to see how Serenity House plans to
handle parking at the house, but city officials have no concerns about
the center operating in the neighborhood.

Some area residents said that they are not necessarily opposed to the
organization's plans but that they have concerns any homeowner would
want addressed if faced with the prospect of such a facility nearby.

"It's hard because we would want people in a program like this to have
the chance to recover," said one woman who asked not to be identified.

In late 1997, Serenity House opened a men's home with a similar
mission in an Addison two-flat. Police there said the home has not
become a law enforcement issue.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady