FEDERÅL DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
According to the Developmental Disabilities Act, section 102(8), "the term 'developmental disability' means a severe chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that:
1) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
2)AND THIS IS KEY... "is manifested BEFORE THE AGE OF 22"
3) is likely to continue indefinitely;
4) results in substantial functional limitations in three of more of the following areas of major life activity
1) self care 2) receptive and expressive language 3) leaning 4) mobility 5) self diirection 6) CAPACITY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING and 7) econommic self sufficiency
5) Reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, supports, or other assistance that is of lifelong or extended duration and is individually planned and coordinated..."
ORC 5701.12 ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. ALL Of the following qualifications MUST BE MET INCLUDING "The institution's primary purpose is to acquire, develop, lease and otherwise provide suitable housing to individuals with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES" .....The property is leased or otherwise provided described above by the institution to individuals with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
North Coast Community Homes has provided more than 60 group homes throughout Northeast Ohio for adults with developmental disabilities with 24 hour on site staff since 1984. Onsite staff check. Developmentally disabled residents check. Eligible for property tax exemption. CHECK. And by the way the newly minted ED of Northcoast is Chris West. Koinonia Homes has been providing group homes for residents with developmental disablilities since 1974 when all the state mental hospitals closed down. On site professional staff for mentally disadvantaged residents check. Eligible for Property tax exemption.
EDEN however who owns a wide variety of real estate with a value of over $50 million dollars With ZERO GROUP HOMES in North East Ohio including 1 bed room condos and commercial storefronts according to their Articles of Incorporation amended in 2014 "provision of housing opportunities and related services to LOW INCOME, mentally ill and disabled persons." Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. NOTHING like Koinonia Homes and North Coast Community Homes who play by the rules. And check THIS out! The attorney representing EDEN states IN WRITING (and I have a copy with much more "information"...like more than 50 pages) that ALL of their properties are used for individuals who...."have substance abuse disorders, HIV/AIDS, co-occuring substance abuse disorders and the chronically homeless." Kind of NOT REALLY the definition of developmentally disadvantaged according to the very specific terms provided by our FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. And DEFINITELY NOT ELIGIBLE for the exemption. And of course the rent is ALL PAID THROUGH SECTION 8. AND ZERO STAFF trained to assist the DEVELOPMENTALLY DISADVANTAGED.