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Published February 03, 2010, 07:58 AM

Vacant Fargo home to help turn lives around

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - While ideas like it have been strongly opposed in recent years, an idea to turn a vacant Fargo home into a facility for people on parole or probation is getting support from those nearby. Home and business owners we talked with are for the plan to turn the house into a group home for the homeless, even sex offenders.

By: Travis Skonseng, WDAY

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    Home and business owners we talked with are for the plan to turn the house into a group home for the homeless, even sex offenders.

The Christian Sports Commission wants to buy the house, which is in an industrial area. The closest home is about 360 feet away. The facility would house up to 12 people and use faith to help them turn their lives around.

Lee Allen owns a business just feet from this vacant home at 106 16th Street North. The house, now up for sale, could soon be filled with convicted criminals.

“We all make mistakes in life and some more serious than others, but I believe people need a chance, a second chance.

The 1902 house is one of few in Fargo in a commercial district. The location has supporters excited about finally having a place for convicts including sex offenders who can't find places to rent.

“What they have to do is not tell the truth, so they move in with a vulnerable gal who has children or they sleep in their car, or move into your neighborhood.”

With 150 registered sex offenders and an estimated 90 on probation in Fargo alone, city leaders say this place is needed.

“It's one of the areas in town where there's an existing single family home that would accommodate the type of needs that this facility has to have.”

Craig Ritchie, with the Christian Sports Commission, has been looking for a house like this for eight years. He says the community will be safer. It's better to know where they are, than not.

“Would you like to know they had a Christian base and that's going to be the emphasis in their lives compared to just trying to make it on their own.”

Ritchie is willing to spend 93 thousand dollars of his own money to make this reality. The tenants will have to follow strict rules. Wearing GPS, not drinking, and no women or children will be allowed. There will also be a Christian mentor living with them, a comfort for Allen.

“Well if not in my area, than who's?”

The planning commission will take up the issue in a public hearing next Wednesday at 9 am at city hall. It could decide then if the application will be approved. Ritchie believes this is the only Christian based facility like this in the country.

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