Three of six towns in the area of Česká lípa have rejected a plan by
the region of Liberec to build new homes for mentally-disabled clients.
Under the proposal, 80 mentally disabled women from two current, isolated
facilities would move into ten buildings across six towns. The project is
to cost 150 million crowns. Stráž pod Ralskem, Okna and Zákup have,
however, have all come out against. The mayor of one of the towns, Zákup,
told news website idnes that more than 500 people had rejected the idea in
a petition - coming out against 24 clients being housed in the town
centre.
According to the mayor, the women would be unable to integrate within the
greater population of less than 3,000; he cited a study that suggested the
maximum number was six. The region of Liberec has been preparing the
project for two years: the aim is specifically to help mentally-disabled
persons reintegrate within broader society, while also providing new jobs
for assistants.