Photograph: Ashley Jackson (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A proposed group home that would provide living accommodations north of Opelousas for young girls has not received approval from the St. Landry Parish Council after residents living nearby have indicated that they are opposed to the operation of the facility.
The parish wide group home ordinance passed by council members in 2022 requires that at least 75 percent of the neighborhood residents approve the establishment of group homes.
Several residents who spoke about the projected home off Compress Road, said they do not want the facility placed near their residences.
Ashley Jackson, who has appeared at least twice before the Council in connection with the group home,, told a Committee last week that she has notified individuals living along Jeremy Drive that she wants to use a former private residence inside the rural subdivision.
Jackson pointed out that the home proposes accommodating girls between ages nine and 17.
Also Jackson emphasized that she does not plan to operate a halfway house. Instead Jackson said the home would provide temporary residence for girls who have nowhere to live.
Hosting the girls will provide an important need, Jackson said. Jackson added that she would plan to use a currently non-occupied four bedroom residence in the subdivision with space for as many as eight girls.
“If I had to open up this home in a field, I would,” said Jackson.
Council chairman Jerry Red Jr. told Jackson that she was also seeking to operate a business in an area where there are already people living residentially and where there are home owners restrictions.
Red said there might also be some additional issues with locating the group home where Jackson intends to operate.
Currently the road where the home would be located is a private road, meaning there are issues such as no postal or mail service, said Red.
Jackson said she plans to have school buses transport the girls to St. Landry campuses. Two staff workers would be on the property at all times, Jackson pointed out.
Council member Mildred Thierry asked whether Jackson would want to have a group home located near where Jackson lives.
“You have people living there who work hard for a decent living. I don’t think this is fair to them,” Thierry said.
Jackson said in most cases the girls at the group home would need a place to live while their mothers are transitioning in other facilities.
Parish president Jessie Bellard told the Council that by last week the parish had not issued a permit for the group home to operate.
Tisha Narcisse she said that it is the desire by the residents who live along the road to maintain the area as it is currently.
“The people want the area to remain residential. All of the lots right now have single family dwellings.
Craig Milburn, who spoke at the meeting, said he understands that Jackson is passionate about operating the group home and assisting girls who might otherwise have difficulty finding places to live.
“My property would be located 125 feet from this home. I’m not in favor of it,” Milburn said.
