Beekman Ordered to Allow Sober Home for Women

By Robert Callahan Pittsburgh, PA · BEEKMAN —

Published Updated 1 min read

A federal judge signed an injunction requiring Beekman to allow a women's sober home. The facility may initially house four residents while a damages lawsuit remains pending.

BEEKMAN — U.S. District Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke signed a preliminary injunction on consent on Thursday requiring the Town of Beekman to allow the opening of a sober home for women in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. The Town of Beekman agreed to waive additional conditions to allow the Hudson Valley Collective to open and begin accepting residents.

The facility may initially house up to four residents, with capacity potentially growing to eight depending on New York State and Dutchess County requirements. Prospective residents seeking admission must be sober and free of illegal drugs, and they must commit to remaining sober and free of illegal drugs throughout their residency.

"We appreciate Beekman’s willingness to settle this issue," U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald said. "Sober homes serve an important role in helping people with what is all too often a tragic disability—being addicted to drugs or alcohol." McDonald added that "SDNY will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities to be housed safely, and to recover money damages for those injured by interference with fair housing rights."

The underlying lawsuit seeking money damages for fair housing interference remains pending. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Kennedy and Tomoko Onozawa are in charge of the case.

fact_check Facts

U.S. District Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke signed a preliminary injunction on consent requiring the Town of Beekman to allow the opening of a sober home for women in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
The Town of Beekman agreed to waive additional conditions to allow the Hudson Valley Collective to open and begin accepting residents.
The Hudson Valley Collective facility may initially house up to four residents.
The Hudson Valley Collective facility's capacity may potentially grow to eight residents depending on New York State and Dutchess County requirements.
The underlying lawsuit seeking money damages for fair housing interference remains pending.
On October 16, 2026, the Town of Beekman’s Planning Board approved the application for the Hudson Valley Collective women's sober home.
Source: townofbeekman.gov
On October 16, 2026, the Town of Beekman’s Planning Board waived dozens of requirements applicable to 'alternate care facilities' for the Hudson Valley Collective application.
Source: townofbeekman.gov
Jamie McDonald, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
"SDNY will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities to be housed safely, and to recover money damages for those injured by interference with fair housing rights."
Jamie McDonald, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
"Sober homes serve an important role in helping people with what is all too often a tragic disability—being addicted to drugs or alcohol."
Jamie McDonald, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
"We appreciate Beekman’s willingness to settle this issue."
Prospective residents seeking admission to the Hudson Valley Collective must be sober and free of illegal drugs.
Prospective residents seeking admission to the Hudson Valley Collective must commit to remaining sober and free of illegal drugs throughout their residency.

menu_bookBackground & Sources

Context and data our newsroom added to the originating report, with the primary source for each item shown below it.

The Town of Beekman previously refused to allow Patrick Potter to operate Bunkhouse, a sober living home for male veterans, first responders, and family members of veterans or first responders.
Patrick Potter submitted a second application for a special use permit and site plan approval in April 2025 after waiting over one year for approval of the first application.
The Town of Beekman ignored the second application for a special use permit submitted in April 2025.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed a complaint against the Town of Beekman on March 5, 2026.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed an application for a preliminary injunction on April 27, 2026.
After the complaint was filed on March 5, 2026, Patrick Potter submitted a third application for a sober home for female residents at the same property under the name Hudson Valley Collective.
Source: townofbeekman.gov
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Kennedy and Tomoko Onozawa are in charge of the case.
The lawsuit filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York alleges that the Town of Beekman refused to allow Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch to operate as a sober living home in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Source: justice.gov
United States Attorney Jay Clayton stated that municipalities cannot use zoning classifications or procedural delays to block lawful housing under the Fair Housing Act.
Source: justice.gov
Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch seeks to assist men in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction, with a focus on veterans, first responders, and family members of veterans or first responders.
Source: justice.gov

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Beekman Ordered to Allow Sober Home for Women

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