Are Extended Stay Hotels Good Options For The Homeless?

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

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A man's Tik Tok video went viral recently when he posted about homeless people using hotels in lieu of renting apartments. It surprises me that homeless people would be able to afford the quoted rates, but I guess those getting assistance can swing it somehow. The article brings up key points as to why some cannot rent apartments, such as not passing background checks and having to come up with rent + security (which according to my research could mean up front costs of around $3,000). Some apartments may require the purchase of furniture.

In some instances, hotels provide a solution, in others, not so much. I've seen articles about homeless people being kicked out of hotels and residents who don't want them in hotels in their areas. In the TikTok video (within link below), user Gilly (@gillygilly007) shows an extended-stay hotel, which he describes as the “last stop” for many people.
“I don’t want to offend anyone, and if I do, I apologize, but I have to post this,” he starts.
He then goes on to introduce the topic before noting the hotel’s price of just under $320.
“That’s weekly,” he explains. “After this stop, most people resort to moving into their vehicles, and no one ain’t talking about it.”
Hotels serving as long-term accommodation for those who can’t afford security deposits and the various other upfront costs associated with rentals is a relatively common phenomenon.
An article in the Nation explains it thusly: “All over Los Angeles and all over the country, budget motels…serve as semi-permanent residences for families too poor or too financially unstable to afford regular rental units, and not lucky enough to have obtained a decent apartment out of the grossly inadequate stock of affordable housing in the United States.”

The article also points out another reason that may lead one to seek housing in one of these hotels: the lack of a background check.
“For those with criminal convictions in their past, these motels can be the only option left: public housing projects can and do reject applicants with criminal histories, and many former felons erroneously believe that they are ineligible for subsidized housing by law,” the article details.
https://www.dailydot.com/irl/extended-stay-hotels/
 

If, for example, someone has an eviction on their record (due to non payment), or a very bad credit rating, they may not be able to rent an apartment. My daughter, who used to work for CPS, says the hotels charges them less than the standard rate because they forgo amenities like maid service. As part of her investigations, she often had to visit families in one of those places.
 
Going to annual races that we used to .... We heard of a woman that would rent unoccupied condos for weekends. The price was right, and reservations not really an issue. It wasn't bad , running water, toliet & shower .... and a kitchen for the 3-4 days we were there. We were younger, and would take "camping-gear" and camp indoors.

The we found out she was "bootlegging" these units without her company's knowing . She was fired, and prosecuted. We just had to find other accomodations. ...... Fine the two years it lasted.

I guess this is actually off-topic ....... my apologies.
 

Pepper said:
Submarine Race Watching, rgp? Ps, glad you went off topic. Like this story about you.
Click to expand...

:) Thanks, No it was motorcycle races up at Mid-Ohio.

It was a great time for just shy of 30 years .... But now, I'm too old and the guys that used ot go are dead , and /or too old as well.
 
The city of Toronto has taken over an entire high rise hotel in the downtown core, and turned it into housing for "the homeless " Within a few weeks the place was a mess with the Police being called constantly about fights, drug sales, over doses, thefts , and fires in the building. The business operators in this city center core area are furious that their business premises are being vandalized and the "homeless " are stealing everything that isn't bolted down. Toronto Paramedics have reported that the hotel is one of the highest 911 call producers in the city center area.

Link. The Novotel Hotel in Toronto will be turned into a temporary homeless shelter – Inner Net News (inn24.ca)

This is madness. People who can't manage their own lives, are being allowed to live in a luxury setting, at the expense of the city taxpayers. And be fed every day. Meanwhile a former Canadian Forces base in north Toronto is vacant. The former Downsview air force base has military dormitory buildings, a military cafeteria, and ample space for housing the "homeless ". JimB.
 
jimintoronto said:
The city of Toronto has taken over an entire high rise hotel in the downtown core, and turned it into housing for "the homeless " Within a few weeks the place was a mess with the Police being called constantly about fights, drug sales, over doses, thefts , and fires in the building. The business operators in this city center core area are furious that their business premises are being vandalized and the "homeless " are stealing everything that isn't bolted down. Toronto Paramedics have reported that the hotel is one of the highest 911 call producers in the city center area.

Link. The Novotel Hotel in Toronto will be turned into a temporary homeless shelter – Inner Net News (inn24.ca)

This is madness. People who can't manage their own lives, are being allowed to live in a luxury setting, at the expense of the city taxpayers. And be fed every day. Meanwhile a former Canadian Forces base in north Toronto is vacant. The former Downsview air force base has military dormitory buildings, a military cafeteria, and ample space for housing the "homeless ". JimB.
Click to expand...
Hey! This is Canada. Canada, where money seems to be without limit and where mistakes are often made but we always apologize.
 
jimintoronto said:
The city of Toronto has taken over an entire high rise hotel in the downtown core, and turned it into housing for "the homeless " Within a few weeks the place was a mess with the Police being called constantly about fights, drug sales, over doses, thefts , and fires in the building. The business operators in this city center core area are furious that their business premises are being vandalized and the "homeless " are stealing everything that isn't bolted down. Toronto Paramedics have reported that the hotel is one of the highest 911 call producers in the city center area.

Link. The Novotel Hotel in Toronto will be turned into a temporary homeless shelter – Inner Net News (inn24.ca)

This is madness. People who can't manage their own lives, are being allowed to live in a luxury setting, at the expense of the city taxpayers. And be fed every day. Meanwhile a former Canadian Forces base in north Toronto is vacant. The former Downsview air force base has military dormitory buildings, a military cafeteria, and ample space for housing the "homeless ". JimB.
Click to expand...
Yes, the examples you cite are some of the reasons people don't want hotels in their areas to house homeless people. Incidences like that certainly make it hard to convince other areas to adapt these programs, though many do already. Like @Pepper I think using an empty military base is a good idea. I wonder how many are available in North America :unsure: And why is it regular citizens seem to always have better ideas than the officials and policy makers?!
 

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