**Rock Hill Proposes New Rules to Limit Long-Term Hotel Stays for Homeless Residents**
ROCK HILL, S.C. — City officials in Rock Hill are introducing new regulations aimed at addressing the issue of homeless individuals residing long-term in local hotels.
The proposed rules, set to be unveiled Tuesday night, include a cap on hotel stays, limiting guests to a total of 30 nights per year in any hotel within the city. The initiative is part of an effort to reduce the strain on police and medical services, as well as to prevent hotels from becoming de facto permanent housing.
City leaders argue that extended hotel stays have led to community challenges, including increased calls for police intervention, medical emergencies related to drug overdoses, and higher incidents of panhandling and loitering near certain hotels.
Pamela Woods, a former hotel resident in Rock Hill, voiced her concerns about the proposal in an interview with Channel 9. “There are people right now who have nowhere to live because the cost of living has skyrocketed,” Woods said. “Where are they supposed to go? Are they building affordable housing for those who can’t afford other options?”
The proposal does include an exception for homeless individuals participating in specific programs. These individuals would be allowed to stay in hotels for up to 90 nights per year, giving them additional time to secure permanent housing.
Alex Greenawalt, the former director of Pathways, a nonprofit organization that supports the homeless, acknowledged the reasoning behind the ordinance. “From a public health perspective, there are concerns about infectious diseases, behavioral health issues, and safety,” Greenawalt said. However, she warned that the policy could place additional pressure on organizations that assist the homeless.
“The success of this policy depends on balancing it with the development of more affordable housing solutions and collaborating with homeless-serving systems, which will bear the burden of these changes,” she added.
Not everyone supports the proposal. A local hotel owner expressed opposition to the plan and indicated that he, along with other hotel owners, intends to voice his concerns at the upcoming meeting.
Channel 9 reached out to the city of Rock Hill for a statement regarding the proposed rules but has not yet received a response.
The planning commission will review the proposal during its meeting on Tuesday, with the city council ultimately making the final decision.
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Source: wsoctv.com