Foreclosure Wins The Battle Against Sober House

February 7th, 2008 | Tags: Foreclosure

High drama was being played out in Medford centering round a sober house. It suddenly came to a halt with foreclosure taking the lead and silencing a thorny issue. The question that made everybody tensed was whether the house in question was harbouring criminals or giving shelter to those recovering from drug abuse. Charges and counter charges were being made when suddenly foreclosure silenced all.

The Mayor of Medford, Michael McGlynn explained that that the owner of Sober House did not keep current with mortgage payments and hence lost the property. The foreclosure will bring down the curtain on a city lawsuit together with a federal probe into charges of discrimination by Medford. Now that the battle is over the tension too is also over.

William Maragioglio had purchased a house with four bedrooms for $429,900 in a quiet neighbourhood in Medford in March last year He then began renting out beds to those who were recovering from drug addiction. He was actually finding loopholes in the federal law to operate a rooming house. Across the state this is the same allegation made against sober houses.

In most localities there is a ceiling to the number of unrelated people who can share a roof. But in sober houses those recovering from drugs live together without any supervisor. Considered as disabled they do not come under the legal strictures. When such people want shelter it must be provided. Not doing so would amount to discrimination according to federal fair-housing legalities.

After the house had been purchased Maragioglio began to set up rows of bunk beds in the basement. A worker reported the matter. Officials of the city found about 9 or 10 unrelated men residing there although Medford does not allow more than 4 persons. Since the foreclosure Bruce MacDonald, representing Maragioglio could not be contacted. Last year the city increased the number to 6 and informed the owner about this. But he was asked to prove that they were not sex offenders or arsonists but only those recovering from drug abuse.

When Maragioglio did not comply then the city took criminal steps against him. This was countered by bringing charges of discrimination against the city. HUD then initiated a probe.

Suddenly the game was over with foreclosure having the last say. The bank foreclosed on the property and the tenants vanished. The federal case would now be dismissed.