Trinity Sober Living can have nine residents at a time living in its sober house at 111 N. Grant St. while legal battles with the village continue, a DuPage County Circuit Court judge ruled March 17.
“(A)s one resident moves out, a replacement resident may move in, up to a maximum of nine at any one time,” the order from Judge Brian Diamond read.
The order was a clarification of a preliminary injunction Diamond issued Feb. 7, stating only those individuals who resided at the property could remain there, and no new residents would be allowed.
“We are glad that the court recognized that the initial ruling negatively affected Trinity and our ability to serve the adult men that need transitional living between treatment and moving back home,” Mike Owens, executive director and founder of Trinity Sober Living, wrote in an email to The Hinsdalean.
He also said Trinity is grateful the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation of Hinsdale, looking into possible violations of the Fair Housing Act.
Brad Bloom, assistant village manager, confirmed it received a request for documents regarding a Fair Housing Act inquiry but that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
The first legal action was taken in August 2019 when the village filed a motion against Trinity, asking the court to order all commercial use to immediately cease and requesting that property owners be stopped from violating occupancy restrictions in the R-4 residential district as outlined in the zoning code.
Trinity Sober Living filed its own lawsuit against the village in federal court, claiming the village is discriminating against its residents. The suit seeks damages and injunctive relief to allow the company to continue to operate The Sober House.
