HOMERVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Lajuanta Mattox of the Jesus and Jam non-profit in Clinch County, bought a home on College Street to create a transition home for men who have completed a drug program.

“It’s sad because we lose a lot of men…I would say two weeks to a month after they leave," Mattox said.

The Exodus home would be near the Homerville Mayor’s property. She said after one phone call with Mayor Tom Kennedy about her plans, she started getting pushback from the community.

“Then he went in to tell me that property is not zoned for what you want to do with it. When he said what you want to do with it, that started the wheel,” Mattox said.

A letter was written and signed by residents opposing the rezoning of this property because of the impact on property value.

Mattox said there is no need for a rezone because of protections under the Fair Housing Act, which defines substance abuse as a disability.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said, “a group of people living together, regardless of their relationship, can be considered a family.”

Mattox has filed a discrimination complaint with HUD.

“Because of those two things, we do not even need a zone change. The property is zoned R1 that’s a one family dwelling, that’s what we are…We’re going to be one family," she said.

Mattox said the Exodus home will help men rebuild necessary relationships and connect with God after an addiction.

“Why it’s important to have it here in Homerville, the Exodus House, is that these men work in our community,” Mattox said. ”They work at our church, and they are here every Saturday to help. They don’t feel judged, they feel loved, they feel accepted here.”

Homerville City Council made the final decision regarding the Exodus House Thursday night at 6 p.m. during a council meeting. They unanimously voted no to rezoning the residential property where the Exodus House would be, and the HUD discrimination investigation is still ongoing.

Mayor Tom Kennedy was not available for an interview before the meeting, the city manager and city attorney declined a request for an interview.

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