DURING WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MASTER’S WEEK IN AUGUSTA, AUGUSTA HONORS THE MASTER!

Las Vegas moves homeless to parking lot outside of empty hotels:

Pope Francis recently criticized Las Vegas for moving homeless people to the parking lot of a large empty hotel. I hope Pope Francis will praise Augusta, Georgia!

I am proud! This hotel is near the neighborhood my mom lived in. It is a very nice hotel and would be packed with international visitors to the Masters this week:

Augusta to house homeless in westside hotel

By Susan McCord Staff Writer

Plans are in the works to house unsheltered homeless people in an 182-room Augusta hotel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Augusta Housing and Community Development said the agreement is with the Doubletree by Hilton on Perimeter Parkway, while four other Hilton properties also are available.

“Providing shelter for our homeless population is essential, and the right thing to do, right now. Time is of the essence,” Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis said.

“Giving shelter to our homeless population will allow compliance with the shelter-in-place order during this crisis, and our goal is to help as many individuals and families as possible,” Davis said.

Augusta’s 2020 point in time count revealed 287 unsheltered homeless people, with likely nearly to as many staying in shelters or other facilities, said Daniel Evans, community development manager for the department.

The results are not finalized because U.S. Housing and Urban Development delayed the process due to the

Hilton is waiving the cost of any damages and is responsible for housekeeping and cleanliness, Welcher said.

Hilton also will supply residents with the toiletries found in each room and a free breakfast, he said in correspondence obtained by The Augusta Chronicle.

Homeless in need will go through the Marion Barnes Resource Center for the Homeless on East Boundary.

Since March 16, the center has processed 100 requests for information and referred 38 to accommodations, and the city has identified around 20 families ready to move in, Welcher said.