Homeless being moved out of Kansas Metropolis lodges

KANSAS CITY, MO. – It has been 19 days since Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and the chairman of the KC Homeless Union announced that the city would cover 500 hotel rooms for people with homelessness for 90 days to give people stability.

People had lived in a dozen facilities across the city. Now people are being relocated from two hotels to other facilities on the subway.

William Hunter and his family moved to the EconoLodge with 90 days notice. In less than 30 days, he has already found a job in a location within walking distance of his temporary home.

“I don’t want to move out. I’m fine here, ”said Hunter. “We’re starting to show up in life and we just want to do better for this kid here.”

Buses drove up on Monday and Tuesday to pick up people. 88 rooms were previously occupied in the EconoLodge. Hunter says the new hotel is near the airport and far from work.

Takishia Ford had also stayed at the hotel. She has secured a job just steps away from her temporary home.

After days of negotiations, homeless people moved to nearby hotels in front of the town hall

“They told me 90 days so I tried,” said Ford. “Now they’re telling me they’re going to take me somewhere else, which means they’re taking my job away, my volunteer position taking away my livelihood.”

Kansas City leaders said they are moving on financial grounds, coupled with allegations of disrespect from some guests.

“Overall, the decision was made because it’s really about keeping people in a safe place that works for them. We can work very well with management to make sure they treat people the right way and we can give them the services they need, Chris Hernandez, City Communications Officer, said.

The people we spoke to said they were treated well by the EconoLodge management. Hiral Bhakta, the owner of the hotel, said he had verbally agreed to a price of $ 100 a night for all 88 of his rooms. Bhakta guided FOX4 through his facility and showed us a handful of ravaged rooms. He said he was disappointed with the unfulfilled business, for himself but also for the people who live there.

Kansas City organization helping recently relocated homeless people get off the streets

“Their verbal engagement for me was 90 days, my engagement for the people here was 90 days, so they started looking for work,” said Bhakta. “You could see a change in everyone’s behavior when they felt safe, when they didn’t have to worry about protection.”

For people on the path to stability, they fear that taking this step could be a setback.

“This is a good opportunity to save 90 days, I can get a lot of things for my child, and I can do a lot, where I can get things, where I can have my own,” said Hunter as he held his 8th Month old son.

Bhakta says he is open to renegotiating with the city to help the people who need to stay in his room for 90 days.

“The success of the program relies entirely on people who assert themselves and actually help,” said Bhakta. “I am completely open to taking another 40 rooms and sticking to this process. It was a very insightful experience. “

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