Nonprofits step in as ChattCity Suites closing displaces residents

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — For the second time in a year, hundreds of Chattanoogans are being displaced as an extended stay motel closes.

The owner of ChattCity Suites off East 20th Street, told residents to pack up and get out by January 15. As these Chattanoogans scramble to find new homes, non-profit organizations are coming together to help ease the transition.

All 141 rooms at ChattCity Suites are filled. The nightly, weekly, and monthy rate hotel provided a home for many. Now the owner, Sun-Best Management, has given a two-week notice to all the occupants.

No leases will be renewed, and the building will be remodeled.

“We just came through the holidays, and they spent money they really didn’t have. And now they’re being told they have to get out. And there’s a panic situation,” said Rick Grider, the pastor at ChattCity Suites.

Some are disabled. Some are veterans. Many are those trying to figure out how not to go back to living on the streets.

Grider said most of the disabled who are over 62 years old have help. However, he’s finding that the disabled under that age have limited resources available to them.

“The main thing I don’t want to happen is somebody fall through the crack because it happens,” Grider said.

Residents of ChattCity Suites are scrambling – trying to find a new place to live in less than 2 weeks. One pastor is urging YOU to help. @Chattanooga_gov @ScenicCityARK

GoFundMe page: https://t.co/lgMhc4jcDH pic.twitter.com/rfPaJHj3rb

— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) January 2, 2019

Veterans Affairs, Hamilton County, and nonprofit organizations like H-3 Ministries and Metropolitan Ministries were on site Wednesday assisting residents with finding new accommodations.

“We assist in there sorts of situations where our friends may become homeless and living outdoors,” H-3 Ministries’ Wendy Baughn said. “We want to take steps that are necessary to collect the information for the providers to be able to work towards housing for them.”

In a statement, Chattanooga’s homeless coordinator Sam Wolfe says the city is “working to identify suitable housing options for those who may be displaced.”

“I was saddened at first. Saddened but I know that God has a plan and He can work through this,” Grider said. “With the community’s help and the agencies here working today, hopefully we can get theses folks placed in permanent housing.”

Grider’s nonprofit Scenic City ARK has set up a GoFundMe page to help residents with moving costs, buying furniture and any other needs they might have.

If you would like to donate, visit here. If you can’t donate, Grider’s request is simple.

“If you can’t donate, spread it. Just get the word around.”