Baltimore City has purchased two properties to aid in addressing homelessness. The properties, the Holiday Inn Express and the Sleep Inn & Suites, were officially opened by Mayor Brandon Scott and other city, state, and federal leaders.
The acquisition cost the city $15.2 million, with an additional $3.2 million spent on the management agreement for both properties, bringing the total expenditure to $18.4 million. A portion of the funding was sourced from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The Board of Estimates approved both agreements in February, and the city finalized the purchase in Spring 2024.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott emphasized that addressing homelessness and housing insecurity in Baltimore necessitates strategies that reflect the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents. He expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the process and reiterated the city’s commitment to improving the lives of residents most in need.
In the past, both properties have served different purposes. The Holiday Inn Express has provided housing and a range of services such as individualized case management, mental health services, housing navigation, vital records resources, employment assistance, and more through the TIME organization for male clients. The Sleep Inn & Suites has functioned as an additional emergency shelter space.
Moving forward, both properties will be used to provide stable housing for those in need.
Source: wmar2news.com