Deseret News | Hotel tenants facing uncertain future

Reader comments
Hotel tenants facing uncertain future

awsomeron | 4:34 a.m. May 12, 2009

From a human standpoint, I realize that everyone has to have some where to go.

Single, No Family, older, with open sores on your face, does not for employment make. Lat alone the Beard in the land of the short hair and the clean shave.

In the 70's in Phoenix we had the White Horse Hotel and others like it. They where Flop Houses, and where torn down but not until the Concert Hall had been built and operating for a few years. When they where torn down the residents vastly men, had No Place to go. Which in part is the basic idea of redevelopment. When the area is redeveloped the residents that where there do not get to go back. Where they go mostly no one cares.

I felt sad about that then and feel sad about this now.

People have to have a place to go where there is at least a Room with a locking door and at least a microwave, bathroom etc.

Is anybody or Company or Government Obligated to provide that service? No!

Should they? Yes! Jail for some is better then the Street. Thats why some retire in Prison.

Victim or Common Sense? | 7:15 a.m. May 12, 2009

What hotel wants to be known as the "We host Felons!" Hotel?

FM | 8:21 a.m. May 12, 2009

To: Vitim or Common Sense

The Regis Hotel, current residence, and the Rio Grand Hotel, potential residence, while they are named hotels, they are no longer a hotel that rents rooms to travelers so it's not as if they are still trying to bring in overnight guests while housing these other individuals. So your comment about being branded as the "We host Felons" Hotel doesn't make any sense, because it's really more like an apartment building. It's not as if the Motel 6 on 600 S is housing these people while still attempting to attract travelers. :-/

Comments continue below

To Victim or Common Sense | 8:32 a.m. May 12, 2009

You should be saying " there go I but for the grace of God" not everyone living in these situations are bad people and the premise of "our Justice system" is you do the time your crime is paid for over and done with. But it seems now days thats not the case in this country, now it's your bad for the rest of your days. I'm a single mom and my credit sucks after a divorce which means in utah (Ogden) I don't get to live anywhere with my kids even tho I pay my rent. To much not in my backyard, like I said there go I but for the grace of god.

Leon | 8:46 a.m. May 12, 2009

Human compassion dictates that no person should have to be hungy or left out in the cold. Felon or not. I am sure that 99% of the people that will be staying there totally regret their circumstances-be it from past mistakes or just hard luck and just want a warm place to call home and to be left alone. The other 1% will find their way back into the justice system and they too will be living in a hotel but one with much less freedom. Live and let Live. We all live on the same rock!!

He Leon... | 10:05 a.m. May 12, 2009

If you are so compassionate, why do you invite them to live with you in your home or maybe the can belly up at your dinner table.

Bleeding heart liberals are all the same. They want to feed and house the poor with money they did not earn.

How about this idea. Give these poeple a one-way ticket to any where they want to go and be done with it.

observing | 10:39 a.m. May 12, 2009

Mosiah 4: 16 -19 "... Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just - But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth FOREVER, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance that we have..." You can read the rest. You know where it is written.

CougarKeith | 11:26 a.m. May 12, 2009

A man like this 3 prison term man needs to realize the "World" is not fair, but were you when you stole and robbed from others? I understand the man's plight and other's like him, but if he pays his rent, stays out of trouble and minds his business the past will get farther behind him where it belongs, IN THE PAST! Not turn into a 4th prison term. As far as pets go, if you can barely afford your own place, what are you doing with a pet? Where is your sense of responsibility? Pet's, credit checks, and back ground checks, How dare they do such a thing and turn around and give you a furnished apartment in return!!! Why the Nerve of the City, County, State, or Private Entity to try and protect their investment by pre-screening the people before they put them up in such a place! Why the Nerve Of Them!!! What right do they have making a presentable decent place without holes in the walls and new furnature, and giving it to people who will pay rent only after they have been subjected to a back-ground check! How Dare They!!!!!!

Re: observing | 11:50 a.m. May 12, 2009

Amen brother! I wonder how many of the posters to this story read that recently and thought it didn't apply to them?

One Way Ticket? | 11:57 a.m. May 12, 2009

I'm not sure that will solve the problem. Especially if other communities use the same "solution." It just might be that all the homeless in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver request that their one-way ticket be to Salt Lake City. Then, I think you have a bigger issue to deal with than you originally had.

I would rather go with a "tent city" out in the sticks solution. Yeah, camping isn't the most comfortable thing... but, the idea is not make it comfortable and remove all motivation to better your circumstances. Governments, charities, and churches could step in to provide the basics in a tent city. And if you can't stay out of trouble - then you get moved to another tent city... one with a fence around it like they have in Arizona.

Anonymous | 11:58 a.m. May 12, 2009

CougarKeith: The issue is not how dare they ... the issue is that if everybody requires credit and background checks, whether these people have the ability to pay or not, there is NOWHERE for them to live. The Regis and Cambridge are bottom of the barrel. The next step is the streets. There are people who've lived there for 15 years, paid their rent on time every week and stayed out of trouble.

He Leon: The Regis and Cambridge residents are not asking for handouts. They're asking either that their homes not be bulldozed, or that some other place in the entire city will rent to them. In the richest country on the planet, and in the most Christian state in that country, is that too much for them to ask for?

Leon | 12:49 p.m. May 12, 2009

Thus the reason I said "human" compassion.

Midwest Member | 12:53 p.m. May 12, 2009

Thanks for the quote, "observing," reminds me of another.

"this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low. For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment." (Doctrine & Covenants 104:16-18)

Hollywood | 1:41 p.m. May 12, 2009

Agree with the last two posters. IMO, if the city wants to sell to developers who will raze the properties and displace tenants, the developer or city should be responsible for finding alternate living arrangements.

Not everyone has the good fortune to have a healthy mind and body, a good education, a passable appearance. To have never made a seriously bad decision or mistake in life that has ruined their credit, put them in jail, etc.

Sounds like these people have and are living with the consequences of their actions. But to toss them out on the street and further punish them? All so the city and chosen developer can make a small fortune?

Yep, run those people out of Salt Lake. Then concentrate on the next tier. Tear down all properties that are aging. Put in 3000+ sq. ft. houses and upgrade all the neighborhoods. Pretty soon, there will be no poor among you - they will have been driven out. Hmmm...is that the real meaning of that line?

BTW, I'm not a bleeding heart liberal. In fact, I vote Republican 90% of the time.

JACKSON | 3:03 p.m. May 12, 2009

WHAT'S WRONG WITH HOTEL PIONEER PARK? IT'S FREE!

awsomeron | 3:13 p.m. May 12, 2009

Last Sunday in my Ward, they Baptized a Man, who is not far off being this man in the article. He attended for several weeks dressed in his coveralls and work shirt. Older, with a cane. During Priesthood he sat with the High Priest Group.

He received from us Nothing but kindness and welcome. Mostly I think, because most of US in that group have at some time in our lives, overcome some addiction or another, and we all know that we are just one drink, one needle, one match, away from returning, even with all of that overcoming and achieving, some of us will depend on Grace After All That We Can Do.

Scripture Versus are good if used in context, they can prove or disprove about anything you want. Ex: Honor your Mother and your Father, so that their days may be long." Next Verse often left out. "Parents provoke not you children to wrath."

There but for a few choices and events are you.

I do not as a Tax Payer like to pay for the Homeless Shelters in Hawaii. However what I want farless is the results of not having them.

Same, Same for this.

Michelle | 3:31 p.m. May 12, 2009

I think low income people need a place to live. These people are just trying to work and live in some place other then a homeless shelter. I don't think they should revamp these hotels.

Missing the Point | 5:05 p.m. May 12, 2009

Unfortunately, so many are caught by the clever language of the writer. Compassion in this circumstance is the key and the local leaders are doing all in their power to provide housing for everyone. They are proposing various accommodations for people who need assistance, and are working with charities and private funds (i.e. developers) to assist the homeless/extremely low income residence of their City.

All too often, we fail to encourage and cheer on the elected officials who are doing all in their power to help the City to be a viable, successful community that we are all proud to be a part of.

Thank you to all who do more than stand idly by and wish that something could be done for these poor people. Thank you to all those who are making beautiful places to replace the dilapidated and decrepit builds that are literally falling down. Thank you to those who have the spine to stand up to the cowards who would berate from the protection of anonymity but haven't spent the time to learn the facts. Thank you for making this a beautiful city and one I am proud to call my home!

Why?? | 5:24 p.m. May 12, 2009

You don't have any money . . . maybe you need a job.
Try standing around the corner with the illeagles at the West end of gateway. I'm sure someone will hire you for manual labor & they don't even care if you have been in jail. (2 or 3 times) (whatever happened to the 3rd felony & your in for life law?)

Now you have a job & attempting to support yourself. If you are working & doing the best you can I see NO problem with helping someone out for awhile (notice I said awhile not the rest of your life)

If you expect to sit in your self pity (which is a bed you made . . . and than complain the sheets are too scratchy). What ever happened to pulling yourself up & making things better for yourself. Nobody owes you anything. Show forth an effort, THAN ask for help.

If the illeagles can make money, I'm sure a convicted felon can. I'm guessing the illeagles don't pass a background check or credit check either.
But somehow they find a job. Too good to work? Or is it below you?

samhill | 6:16 p.m. May 12, 2009

"Billy Mick has spent the last year and a half living in the hotel. He survives on a disability check that leaves him with $10 a day after he pays his $340 monthly rent.

'I'd like to stay at the Regis,' Mick said Monday as he SMOKED outside the building."

Hmmm. $10/day after paying rent. Last time I checked, a pack of cigs. cost somewhere around $2. That's too expensive for me! (for so many reasons) And I earn a bit more than 4 times this guys monthly income; assuming that the (estimating $340/mo. (rent) + $10/day is about $650/mo.) disability is his entire income.

I've live with folks like these all my life. Which makes it sooooo hard to sympathize with people who plead poverty while sucking down poison from the coffin nails they ALWAYS find some way to pay for. Particularly tough when they point to their underfed children as a further claim for charity.

Frido | 6:19 p.m. May 12, 2009

Like president Regan said: if they don't have money they don't have any sense so why worry about them. Help the rich and some thing will trikkle down to these little people.

Is it possible | 7:33 p.m. May 12, 2009

to agree with ALL these postings? In one way or another, I almost do.
I've worked in homeless shelters and seen the results of continuing bad decisions. I've built Habitat for Humanity homes for people trying to get out of troubled situations (most succeeded). I've been a missionary at the Bishop's Storehouse. I've been a single mom with kids, the wife of a man who became partially disabled while we still had kids at home. His medical condition and our handicapped son required me to stay at home.
In addition, I have known a number of convicted felons--some had no desire to change and blamed society for everything. Others tried desperately--but when you have a felony record there are tons of ordinary jobs you can no longer be hired for. There are many places that won't rent to you--period--no matter what your current circumstances.
There are homeless who aren't terribly stable or who have other health problems.
BUT--when the substandard, cheap housing is eliminated, all that happens is that the people who need it have to move somewhere else. Doesn't stop the problem, just moves it elsewhere.

David U | 4:03 p.m. July 21, 2009

which is the bigger sin......cheating, lying, doing wrong to your neighbor or stealing....which are forgiven by god and which ones are not.... god forgave me but if you dont, thats yours to deal with..... david ungerecht from the article speaking here

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.