BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A social service agency that would help women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction lost first-round approval Tuesday for Cincinnati city money for renovations at its East Walnut Hills building.
Members of the area's community council -- the East Walnut Hills Assembly -- have opposed funding for Courage House at Woodburn and Myrtle avenues. The council points out that a men's transitional shelter is nearby, and it doesn't want two such agencies in the same area. Members say they would rather make that stretch of Woodburn Avenue into a viable, diverse business district.
On Tuesday, council members on the city's finance committee listened to the agency's plea.
"There's no question we do need these programs, but I think to pile them on top of each other doesn't do anybody any good," said Councilman and Finance Committee Chair Dwight Tillery.
The committee rejected awarding the Courage House a $103,822 federal emergency shelter grant designed to fund homeless shelters. The full city council has the final decision and will take up the matter during today's regular weekly meeting.
Ronetha Phelon, executive director of Courage House, said she'll be back today in hopes of convincing a majority of council that they should give the social agency some aid.
"We've put all our time, patience and money to get it where it is today," Mrs. Phelon said.
The city's Human Services Advisory Committee, made up of representatives of various social services agencies and private citizens, approved the measure on the condition that Courage House representatives and the community council resolve their differences within a year, said Carol Brown, an analyst for the city's Human Services section. The Courage House would offer women shelter from six to 24 months.
