U.S. Attorney files civil rights lawsuit alleging Beekman officials refused sober living home for veterans and first responders

New York, New York – Federal prosecutors have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Beekman in Dutchess County, New York, accusing local officials of unlawfully blocking a sober living home designed to help people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The lawsuit, announced by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, alleges that the town violated federal law by refusing to allow the recovery residence to operate at a residential property.

According to the federal complaint, the proposed facility—known as Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch—was intended to provide sober housing for men who are working to overcome addiction. The program was specifically designed to assist veterans, first responders, and family members connected to those groups, offering them a supportive environment where they could maintain sobriety and rebuild their lives.

Federal officials argue that the town’s actions violated the Fair Housing Act, which protects people with disabilities—including those recovering from addiction—from discrimination in housing.

“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.”

Dispute Over Proposed Recovery Home

The lawsuit outlines a series of events that began in June 2023 when Bunkhouse founder Patrick Potter began working toward establishing the sober living home in New York. Potter’s plan was to create a structured recovery residence that would support individuals who had already committed to sobriety.

At first, local officials reportedly responded positively to the idea. Potter moved forward with the project and purchased an existing residential property in the Town of Beekman. The house measured approximately 4,650 square feet and was intended to serve as the location for the recovery residence.

However, federal prosecutors say the town’s position changed after the property was purchased.

According to the complaint, Beekman officials—including the town’s zoning administrator and legal counsel—began placing obstacles in front of the project that made it increasingly difficult for the sober living home to open.

One major issue cited in the lawsuit involves how the town classified the property. Federal authorities claim Beekman improperly labeled the residence as an alternate care facility or nursing home rather than a standard residential use. That classification triggered additional zoning requirements and administrative steps.

The town then allegedly required Potter to submit costly and unnecessary site plans and obtain permits that the federal government claims should not have been required for a sober living residence.

The complaint further states that the town repeatedly failed to respond to Potter’s attempts to comply with the requirements. According to the lawsuit, even when Potter attempted to meet the town’s shifting conditions, the process stalled.

Federal Efforts to Resolve the Dispute

Federal authorities said they initially attempted to resolve the dispute without going to court. The United States Attorney’s Office contacted the Town of Beekman in October 2024 in an effort to avoid litigation and reach a solution.

However, prosecutors say the town continued to refuse to work with Potter to allow the sober living home to operate.

In April 2025, Potter submitted additional applications to meet the town’s requirements, including a request for a special use permit and approval of a site plan.

Despite these efforts, the lawsuit claims Beekman failed to respond to those applications for ten months and counting.

Fair Housing Act Protections

Federal officials emphasized that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. Under the law, individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction are considered protected if they are not currently using illegal drugs.

According to the complaint, prospective residents of Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch would be required to meet strict sobriety standards. Applicants must already be sober and free of illegal drugs before being admitted to the residence. They would also have to commit to remaining sober throughout their stay.

The lawsuit argues that by blocking the sober living home, the Town of Beekman denied individuals in recovery an opportunity for stable housing and support while working to rebuild their lives.

Federal prosecutors say the case is part of a broader effort to ensure that municipalities follow civil rights laws and treat recovery housing the same as other residential uses. The outcome of the lawsuit could determine whether the Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch is ultimately allowed to operate at the Beekman property.