Hotel Caters To Families Who Lost Homes
Residents Thankful For Local Program
POSTED: 5:43 pm EST December 29,
2008
UPDATED: 6:04 pm EST December 29,
2008
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Families who have lost their homes during the tough economic times are turning to hotels for shelter.NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported Monday that motels, such as the Cambridge Gateway Inn in Cambridge, are filled to capacity.
Hotel Caters To Families Who Lost Homes"I couldn’t afford to pay the rent due to lack of money. I was evicted from my home," resident Linh Quach said."We sold the house on a short sale, and the new owners evicted us. She wanted us out," resident Marie Volel said.The Cambridge Gateway Inn caters to the homeless with an agreement with the state Department of Transitional Assistance."Right now, the program is such that they are trying to find as many homes as possible," said hotel owner Tony Martignetti.Martignetti said that he started in the summer, renting homes to homeless families."We have 78 rooms, and at present 75 of them are with the state," Martignetti said."I feel that this is a great opportunity for me to start realizing what I need to do for my family and getting a place for them to stay first and then finding a home," Quach said.Despite the advantages, some residents said that it is not easy."It is emotionally disturbing because you want to be in your own (home) for the holiday season," Volel said.
Hotel Caters To Families Who Lost Homes"I couldn’t afford to pay the rent due to lack of money. I was evicted from my home," resident Linh Quach said."We sold the house on a short sale, and the new owners evicted us. She wanted us out," resident Marie Volel said.The Cambridge Gateway Inn caters to the homeless with an agreement with the state Department of Transitional Assistance."Right now, the program is such that they are trying to find as many homes as possible," said hotel owner Tony Martignetti.Martignetti said that he started in the summer, renting homes to homeless families."We have 78 rooms, and at present 75 of them are with the state," Martignetti said."I feel that this is a great opportunity for me to start realizing what I need to do for my family and getting a place for them to stay first and then finding a home," Quach said.Despite the advantages, some residents said that it is not easy."It is emotionally disturbing because you want to be in your own (home) for the holiday season," Volel said. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
