More than 50 organizations have endorsed a letter objecting to a proposed ordinance that would require Allegheny County group homes to register before accepting residents.

In a letter sent Friday to county Councilman James Burn, chairman of council's Public Safety Committee, Shari Mamas, a staff attorney for the Pittsburgh office of the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, said there is "overwhelming legal support" to indicate that the requirement would violate federal law.

Officials of more than a dozen consumer advocacy groups, providers of community services and others also endorsed the letter.

Among them were Marsha Blanco, president of Achieva; Nancy Murray, president of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh; Brenda Lee, president of Mental Health America-Allegheny County; Shirlee Hopper-Scherch, executive director of the Peer Support and Advocacy Network; Claudia Roth, president of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic; Peter Harvey, executive director of the Fair Housing Partnership; Donald Goughler, chief executive officer of Family Services of Western Pennsylvania; Christine Michaels, executive director of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania; and Jessica Seabury, executive director of the Consumer Health Coalition.

Noreen Fredrick, president of the Conference of Allegheny Providers, also endorsed the letter on behalf of about 40 other groups. Among them were Community College of Allegheny County, Community Human Services Corp., Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mercy Behavioral Health, Mon Yough Community Services, Northwestern Human Services, Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Pressley Ridge, Southwestern Human Services and Staunton Clinic.

Mr. Burn, who is sponsoring the proposal with other council members, said the groups' opposition would not sway him.

"They're not going to back me down," he said. "We're not asking for anything more than compliance with local, legal ordinances."

Among other stipulations, the proposal would require group homes to seek written certification from municipalities that the homes meet local ordinances. Facilities that failed to do so would have to file plans of corrective action and make needed changes within 90 days.

Group homes that did not adhere to the proposal's requirements could face higher fees, fines or loss of county funding.

Opponents contend that the proposal violates fair housing statutes, in part by placing requirements on housing for people with disabilities that would not be required for housing other residents.

Group homes and other housing issues are on the agenda for tomorrow's Public Safety Committee meeting. Mr. Burn said police chiefs in the area are expected to attend to discuss issues related to public housing, Section 8 and problem landlords and tenants.

He said a meeting will be scheduled next month to address the group home registration proposal.