The Chattanooga City Council is preparing to vote on a new proposal to house Chattanooga residents experiencing homelessness within the city limits, instead of at an East Ridge hotel.
The city had first voted on an agreement with the East Ridge Budgetel Inn & Suites on North Mack Smith Road on March 23, but after pushback from the city of East Ridge, plans were put on pause.
Now, according to the agenda for the council's April 13 meeting, the city is looking to partner with the Chatt Inn, 2000 E. 23rd St., with costs to not exceed $341,250. The Budgetel site was budgeted for up to $400,000.
The agenda also contains a separate resolution to provide security at the site for up to $62,100.
"We're now pivoting to the Chatt Inn as a more suitable option," city spokesperson Kerry Hayes said. "We appreciate the City Council's support and collaboration on this."
According to the agreement, up to 100 rooms will be rented for a 90-day period, from March 12 to June 12, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to reimburse the city.
Recently released data from the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition showed a more than 80% increase in unsheltered individuals in Hamilton County, from 201 in 2020 to 364 in 2021.