CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — Time is running out and not everyone living at the America's Best Inn on Eastern Boulevard in Clarksville has found a new home. Their deadline is Friday.
The hotel was sold by River Edge Investments, Inc. in June and residents were given a 30-day notice. About 148 people have called the place their home – some of them for years. In just less than month, local groups helped more than 100 of the residents find a new home, but more than 40 have only two days left to relocate.
"They're scared, and I don't blame them because I would be too,” executive director of Haven House Services, Barb Anderson said. “It's everything you have – it's your children and the heat index this weekend is supposed to be 113."
Groups of organizations formed the Homeless Prevention Task Force and stepped up to help the residents. Jeffersonville pledged $20,000, the community raised $19,000 and Tuesday night, Clarksville town council approved $30,000.
“There's probably going to be more that's needed but right now we're working with what we've got in order to assist the families that we are assisting,” director of Jesus Cares at Exit 0, Paul Stensrud said.
Volunteers are spending countless hours calling property managers.
"Many of the landlords are taking a $45 and $35 application fee,” Stensrud said. “The residents get denied, they don't get that money back and it just adds to the struggle.”
One resident who wanted to hide her identity told WHAS11 she was finally approved for an apartment for her family of three, but she won't get the keys until August.
“Went from a hotel to another hotel and it got more and more expensive and then we found America's Best Inns – this is a home to most people,” she said.
If someone does not have a plan by Friday, volunteers are coming up with their own.
“We don’t think that we’ll have to pitch a tent, but that’s still an option,” Anderson said. “We are talking to other hotels to see if we can get them to reduce the cost of their rooms and then we’ll front the cost through our funds that have been done.”
Some families moved into other hotels until they are able to find a more permanent home. Stensrud said some of the hotels cost more than $400 a week, which is why they are hoping the community will continue to step up to help out.
►Contact reporter Dennis Ting at dting@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@DennisJTing) and Facebook.