Winslow Agape House Representative Offers No Comment On Controversy

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   A representative of Agape House in Winslow had no comment on the controversy over the city’s refusal to negotiate with the shelter regarding a special use permit.
   “We’ve been going through a lawyer and they advised us not to say anything, so I’d have to say no comment,” Agape House representative Pauline Tanner said when contacted by The Tribune-News.
   Staff from Agape House have filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office alleging that the city violated the Fair Housing Act in denying the special use permit. A letter from the attorney general’s office reportedly asked city officials to negotiate with Agape House to settle the issue, but both the planning and zoning commission and the city council voted against any further negotiations.
   In early March, Tanner told The Tribune-News that the facility was awaiting a special use permit in order to begin operations.
   “We’re at a standstill until we get the permit,” Tanner explained at the time. “Until we get the conditional permit, we can’t have people in there. We need the permit to get insurance.”
    Tanner noted that plans called for two facilities, located in the 500 block of West Gilmore Street, to house up to five clients each, with men in one house and women in the other. She also noted that the houses were intended to provide a safe and sober environment for individuals who are either returning from addiction treatment or undergoing outpatient treatment.
   Agape House also planned to offer services to help clients return to work and rebuild their lives, such as job training, résumé writing and other basic life skills such as balancing a checkbook.
    “We want them to be able to be productive citizens of the community,” Tanner remarked in March. “We want to try to help those who have fallen on hard times and seriously want to get their lives back in order.”
    While Agape House is not associated with the Loma Puh’ Ta Vi (Beautiful Pathway) stabilization centers in Holbrook and Winslow, Tanner noted that clients would likely be referred from the centers to Agape House.
    “We’ll be working with other agencies, and if they have clients who need to live there, they can,” she reported during the earlier interview.
    Tanner noted that in addition to offering services to individuals affected by addiction, the homes would also serve as a safe harbor or transitional home for those affected by domestic violence.
   In March, Tanner reported that plans were also in the works for a third house to be opened that would offer a safe environment for families, including children.
   According to Commissioner Randy Pritchard, the two houses have been operating despite lack of a conditional use permit.
   Proponents of the facilities have suggested that a special use permit is not necessary, and the occupancy of the homes can be determined by the landlord.
   Tanner explained in March that Agape House does not own the properties, but is leasing them from a private individual.