Plans for north Raleigh halfway house fall to neighborhood opposition
An organization that helps rehabilitate former prisoners has abandoned plans to open a halfway house in north Raleigh because of opposition from his would-be neighbors.
Posted — UpdatedPardoned by Christ wanted to buy the house at 2216 Yorkgate Drive, at the intersection of Lead Mine Road, for its second area halfway house, but residents in the Yorkshire Downs neighborhood got wind of the group's plans for the house and mounted opposition to it.
Some expressed concern over the number of single women and widows in the neighborhood, while others worried about lower property values. Some area residents did say they felt a halfway house wouldn't pose any threat.
Pardoned by Christ founder Michael Shank said he wants to help prisoners but doesn't want to cause any undue friction, so he's moving on.
Members of the local homeowners association were given the option to contribute $200 per household to help offset the costs Shank incurred during the process of purchasing the property. Shank wouldn't confirm that he had received any money, saying only that he is at peace with how the situation turned out.
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