The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Beekman in Dutchess County, alleging that local officials blocked the operation of a sober living home for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The complaint states that Beekman prevented Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch from using an existing residential property as a sober home, which would primarily serve men who are veterans, first responders, or their family members.
“Those who are struggling to defeat their dependence on drugs or alcohol deserve support, not obstruction, especially when they are among our veterans, first responders, and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The Fair Housing Act makes clear that individuals in recovery are protected from discrimination, and municipalities cannot use zoning classifications or procedural delays to block lawful housing. When a community refuses to treat a sober living home like any other residence, it denies individuals in recovery a fair chance to rebuild their lives. The women and men of this Office are committed to ensuring that federal civil rights protections are fully and fairly enforced.”
According to the lawsuit filed in federal court in White Plains, Patrick Potter, founder of Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch, sought to establish the facility in June 2023 after initially receiving positive feedback from local officials. He purchased a 4,650 square foot residential property in Beekman for this purpose. However, after acquiring the property, Beekman officials classified it as an “alternate care facility or nursing home” rather than as a standard residence. This classification required Potter to submit additional site plans and permits deemed costly and unnecessary by the complaint.
Despite efforts by Potter—including submitting applications for special use permits and site plan approval in April 2025—Beekman did not respond for ten months. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had previously contacted Beekman in October 2024 to resolve the issue without litigation but was unsuccessful.
Under the Fair Housing Act, discrimination based on disability is prohibited; this includes individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction if they are not currently using illegal drugs. Residents at Bunkhouse must be sober upon admission and commit to maintaining sobriety during their stay.
Individuals wishing to file housing discrimination complaints can do so through the Civil Rights Complaint Form available on the United States Attorney’s Office website (https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/civil-rights). Complaints may also be submitted by email or mail to the Civil Rights Unit at 86 Chambers Street, New York City.
The case is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Kennedy and Tomoko Onozawa from the Civil Rights Unit of the Civil Division.
