A group home is a single-family residence that is used to house several unrelated mentally, physically or emotionally disabled people. Halfway houses are like a group home because there are several residents who live together, but they are not members of the same family. Sometimes, there are special zoning conditions that allow group homes into your neighborhood. For example, you have lived in the same neighborhood for the last 10 years, and there is a buyer next door that wants to turn the home into a residence for five mentally handicapped adults. You decide to protest the move because you feel that it will adversely affect your home’s value. You and most of the neighbors attend hearings at the city hall about the proposed group home. The city council decides in your favor, and the group home is not allowed.
