Several Tampa Bay area home and community-based service programs for disabled people are in danger of being shut down after a recent statewide audit, which could force many people around the state to have to uproot and move.

One of those groups is in Hudson, and it’s been around for decades.

  • Angelus in Hudson in danger of being shut down
  • Nonprofit houses people with severe disabilities
  • Some residents have been there for 35 years
  • State allowing public comment until Sept. 25th

The Angelus has been housing people with severe disabilities since 1979. It currently sits on 17 acres, with five group homes and an adult training center.

“They eat in the home, they have activities out of the home, they go out into the community, and the ADT (Adult Training Center) is arts and crafts, physical therapy, life skills, gardening," said Joseph Neri.

Neri started the non-profit, and he says all of it could come to an end.


The Angelus has been housing people with severe disabilities since 1979. It sits on 17 acres with five group homes and an adult training center.

Recently, the state ran an audit to comply with new national standards for home and community-based service programs. It found The Angelus, along with around 50 other organizations, to not be in compliance.

The report states The Angelus is a presumed institution because it isolates people from the community, because it's gated, the homes on its property are too close together, and because the day center is on the same property.

“We don't feel that's true, true the homes are close together but it's the way they are, we get them out in the community every week," said Neri.

Chris Fox, 33, has lived there for 10 years. He suffers from spina bifida and scoliosis.

“I get out for like doctor’s appointments and to go to the Bucs games and stuff, and the Charlie Daniels concert, the Halloween parties, so we do a lot of things outside The Angelus as well," said Fox.

Mallory McManus, Communications Director with Agency for Health Care Administration, released the following statement Thursday.

"There is no interruption in services. AHCA is committed to working closely with all facilities as the state works to implement the federally mandated statewide transition plan by the federally set March 2019 deadline. We are not seeking to transition recipients including those at Angelus from any setting that has been identified as non-compliant with, or presumptively institutional pursuant to the federal HCB settings rule at this time. We will continue to work with Angelus throughout this process."

The state is allowing public comment by either mail or email until Sunday, Sept. 25th.  

Comments can be sent to:

Agency for Health Care Administration
Attention: HCBS Waivers
2727 Mahan Drive, MS #20
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Or

FLMedicaidWaivers@ahca.myflorida.com

State report