I am a disabled veteran that lives in a housing program for disabled veterans. The private organization administering the grant receives funding from the US Veterans Administration and one of the requirements is to maintain sobriety (zero intake of alcohol or drugs that the Federal government do not allow, regardless of state law). It also does not allow possession of any such substance at any time (the above also comes into play if another person claims to see purchase, possess or use any such substance).
I am curious how programs like this get around religious practices and the Bill of Rights 1st Amendment as to any religious practices involving any such substance such as either offerings of wine or consumption of wine, beer, mead (since these are legal to purchase and use, generally).
A client of the program doesn't have to have a substance abuse issue to be impacted by this, but programs other than this generally don't exist in my area TO MY KNOWLEDGE. Regular housing grants for the completely disabled seem to be few and demand exceeds availability for about 10 years now.
When I've brought this issue up, the case managers have stated that its a blanket policy because they can't segregate people based upon tobacco, alcohol or substance use issues and therefore suites of rooms have the policy applied equally.
They also have the issue of not allowing service animals amongst any residents or emotional support animals of any kind (can visit but not stay overnight).
Anyone have knowledge of the law regarding these types of issues or have good resources for them? Casual knowledge is not helpful here, thanks, because I can do basic internet searches myself and haven't come up with anything on point.
I am curious how programs like this get around religious practices and the Bill of Rights 1st Amendment as to any religious practices involving any such substance such as either offerings of wine or consumption of wine, beer, mead (since these are legal to purchase and use, generally).
A client of the program doesn't have to have a substance abuse issue to be impacted by this, but programs other than this generally don't exist in my area TO MY KNOWLEDGE. Regular housing grants for the completely disabled seem to be few and demand exceeds availability for about 10 years now.
When I've brought this issue up, the case managers have stated that its a blanket policy because they can't segregate people based upon tobacco, alcohol or substance use issues and therefore suites of rooms have the policy applied equally.
They also have the issue of not allowing service animals amongst any residents or emotional support animals of any kind (can visit but not stay overnight).
Anyone have knowledge of the law regarding these types of issues or have good resources for them? Casual knowledge is not helpful here, thanks, because I can do basic internet searches myself and haven't come up with anything on point.
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