How to Open a Group Home in Arizona

by Alisa Stevens

The Arizona Department of Health Services oversees the licensing and operation of group homes. For
purposes of licensing, Arizona defines a group home as a place of residence in which six developmentally
disabled people live. The state requires owners to provide residents with a safe environment that
includes electricity, water and an accessible telephone. Group-home operators must post the current
license in a common area at all times. Arizona issues licenses for two to three years, depending on
circumstances. In addition to state requirements, owners must comply with the mandates of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

1. Review your financial situation and determine if you can afford to purchase a house. Gather all the
financial documents necessary for real-estate purchase. These include bank statements and tax returns.

2. Determine the location and house. Look at the number of bedrooms and width of hallways and doors.
Regulations require that each resident have his own bedroom. For example, if you intend on opening a
group home for six residents, then you need a house with six bedrooms. In addition, the hallways, doors
and other common areas need to be wide enough to satisfy Americans with Disabilities Act
requirements. Zoning is not a problem, since Arizona allows group homes in residential areas. However,
you should look at neighborhoods and surrounding areas to decide if it is a proper place for a group
home.

3. Purchase the house. The group-home application requires the home address, so you need to purchase
the property before applying for the license.

4. Develop a written emergency plan that outlines procedures for fires, evacuations, missing persons
and severe weather. Include information regarding evacuation routes, storage of fire equipment and
alarms, automatic sprinklers, smoke detectors and regular reviews of all appliances and electrical
systems.

5. Download a group-home application from the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
Information needed includes group-home name and address, owner's name and contact information,
any accreditation data, and proposed inspection date.

6. Sign and submit the application to the Office of Special Licensing 30 days prior to opening the home.
Download the Department of Health Services/Developmentally Disabled Group Home Inspection
Checklist from the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Review and verify that the house
complies with the "Items of Inspection" on the sheet.

7. Attend the onsite inspection. The inspector reviews the "Items of Inspection" on the form. Examples
of the "items of inspection" include scheduled fire-safety drills, evacuation drills, availability of water
and electricity and general healthy living conditions for home residents. Receive inspection results from
the inspector. The inspector will issue a license or reject the application.
8. Hire the home staff. Look for employees with prior experience in working with or an interest in
helping those with special needs. Individuals with previous health-care experience should be highly
considered. While there is no legal requirement in Arizona to do so, run background checks on
employee candidates. Group-home staff takes care of vulnerable residents, so take all precautions, for
their safety and yours.

Things Needed

 Financial documents
 House
 Application for DD Group Home DHS Health and Safety License
 DHS/DD Group Home Inspection Checklist

Tips

 Submit renewals at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the license.

 State officials must investigate any complaints against a group home within 30 days of filing.

References (4)

 Arizona Administrative Code: Chapter 33 -- Department of Health Services -- Group Homes for
Individuals Who are Developmentally Disabled
 Arizona Department of Health Services: Office of Special Licensing -- Group Homes for the
Developmentally Disabled
 Arizona Department of Health Services: Application for Group Home License
 Arizona Department of Health Services: DHS/DD Group Home Inspection Checklist

About the Author

Alisa Stevens has been writing articles and business/marketing materials since 1994. She has experience
writing for and about a variety of industries, including the legal, transportation, government and
education sectors. Stevens holds a B.A. in journalism and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University, as
well as a J.D. from Loyola Law School.