Locating support networks close to or where the people who need them live makes sense, agencies say.
Transportation is no longer an issue and help is close at hand in a crisis.
But established neighborhoods are often wary of low-income or challenging newcomers. Because of client confidentiality considerations, agencies often cannot provide people with much information about a given facility. But when they can, the Siting Dispute Resolution Program appears to offer a chance for understanding. The eight-month pilot project that ended in September brought neighbors, developers, social service workers and residents of proposed facilities together to hash out worries and ease fears. Mediators say the first step in resolving a dispute is giving participants the tools for dialogue.