Pubdate: Wed, 02 Oct 2002
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Sarah Anchors
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

RESIDENTS FIGHT REHAB HOME

SOUTH PHOENIX - Bill Freeman sees the handsome corner house near South 
Mountain as the perfect spot for recovering female drug addicts to learn 
parenting skills, find a job and home, and get counseling.

Resident Greg Person sees a different picture. A rehab center would raise 
crime rates and lower property values, he and other residents complain.

"We understand there's a need for the services," Person said. "This 
neighborhood is completely inappropriate."

But neighbors may have little say in Ebony House Inc.'s plans to bring a 
group home to a house in the 8600 block of South 14th Street. Zoning allows 
the non-profit agency to set up shop without a public hearing.

The only chance residents have for input is today when the City Council 
votes to change the address for a pre-approved $250,000 Community 
Development Block Grant for Ebony House, which will enable the agency to 
buy the house.

Ebony House originally intended to use the grant to buy a different house, 
but that owner decided not to sell.

The lack of a public hearing rankles Barbara Schneider, who chairs the 
South Mountain Village Planning Committee.

"I think people should have a voice about what's happening in their 
neighborhoods," Schneider said.

Both Freeman and Phoenix Councilman Mike Johnson said Ebony House won't 
ruin the area, and pointed to Ebony's 13th Street and East Alta Vista Road 
location as an example.

It houses 14 male recovering addicts, who stay a month or two, Freeman 
said, adding that drug use is not tolerated.

A discreet, safe neighborhood is exactly what Freeman, Ebony House's chief 
executive officer, wants.

"It is our desire, not only for the women, to afford our clients the 
ability to go through a treatment setting in a nice environment," Freeman 
said. "They are human beings also."

There's a need for residential services for female addicts. About 60 women 
are on a waiting list yearly, according to ValueOptions, a mental health 
firm that contracts with Maricopa County.

Freeman hopes to open the women's center in January.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom