Community files lawsuit against group home

WELLINGTON, Fla. - An empty plot of land in Wellington that has been the source of fierce opposition, appears to be a go.
 
A non-profit wants to build a group home for at-risk children, but a community has been fighting to block it.
 
“It’s been a long haul, I wanted this facility for those kids for a very long time,” said Matt Ladika, the CEO of HomeSafe, a non-profit that works to protect the victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
 
Ladika is declaring victory after a long legal fight.
 
“We were certainly thrilled, no doubt about that,” he said.
 
This week a panel of judges sided with HomeSafe, giving it the green light to build the group home on Lyons Road just south of Southern Boulevard, which will sit across from the Wellington View community.
 
Ladika says it will house 12 children ages 7-17, and each of them will have their own bedroom and bathroom.
 
“They’re going to have their own space, they’re going to be able to heal from the trauma they’ve experienced in a first-class facility,” Ladika said.
 
The project has been in the works since 2017 and has faced opposition. Wellington View’s HOA filed a lawsuit hoping the court would reverse the decision, approved by Palm Beach County commissioners to build the 10,000 square foot home. Nicole Naftali lives in the community and signed a petition against the project.
 
“I think there’s half that wants it and half that don’t want it because they don’t know what’s going to happen in the end, and they don’t know what the community is going to be like in the end,” Naftali said.
 
"We have seen the Court's ruling and are disappointed. We are presently reviewing all legal options, including appeal,” said attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey, on behalf of the HOA.
 
For now, HomeSafe is focusing on the future.
 
“We’re doing it all for the kids, we’re thrilled and I couldn’t be happier just to get them in. I can’t wait!” Ladika said.
 
HomeSafe is working through the permit and drawing phase, so it still could be a couple of years until the home is up and running.