A former hotel in Chatham will be reopening its doors, but this time it's gearing towards people who are transitioning into permanent housing.
The hotel, now called CK Extended Stay, will provide shared-room accommodation for people needing a temporary place to call home while trying to find a permanent residence. The 40-room building located on Michener Road is getting ready to open its doors on August 1.
CK Extended Stay manager Jody Jarrett said there is a need for affordable housing in Chatham-Kent and hopes this alternative will help people in the process of finding a home.
"People can't afford the means of having an apartment or don't have the support around them for it," said Jarret. "So with us working with the United Way and Salvation Army, it will make it easier for them to find the right place to lay their head."
The rooms will run at $850 per month for an individual to share a room or $1,700 a month for a family. The shared rooms will have a barrier separating the beds, so each tenant will have their personal space. The rooms will have a bathroom, cable tv, a refrigerator, and a coffee maker.
Chatham-Kent's Director of Social Services Polly Smith said the housing alternative is intended to be a short-term or transitional outlet for people that is cheaper than some other monthly hotel stays.
"It is too early to say how it might help with housing but based on my data, there is definitely a need for transitional housing in Chatham-Kent," said Smith. "It has already helped us with some very short stay emergency accommodations."
Jarrett said tenants will be able to meet with their social workers at the building in order to access those services or get the help they need.
"We want to give people a place they can call home until they have a place they can say they're secure," said Jarrett. "We do this out of the compassion of our hearts. Everybody that works here, is here because they have had some sort of impact from the housing industry not being where it should be for everybody."
Jarret said she hopes to see more housing opportunities become available where people can still feel supported.
"A person may be down and out but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing."