Westside Inn Eviction Worsens Kingsport’s Homeless Crisis Due to Scarce Affordable Housing
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The city’s struggle with homelessness has worsened following the eviction of many residents from the Westside Inn, a local hub of affordable housing.
A Critical Resource Lost
Once a safe haven for many, Westside Inn’s residents were recently served eviction notices, leaving them to grapple with the already difficult task of securing affordable shelter in a city plagued by high rent prices and a lack of adequate low-income housing. The evictions have exacerbated the homelessness crisis in the region, leaving many people in desperate straits.
The Struggle for Low-Income and Disabled Individuals
Among the affected individuals are those who are considered low income or have disabilities. According to local social workers, these people are among the hardest hit by the surge in rental prices. Despite working full-time jobs at minimum wage, many still find it impossible to afford basic necessities such as food and shelter.
“A Heartbreaking Situation”
“When you’re working 40 hours a week at minimum wage and you still can’t afford shelter for your family let alone food and all the other necessities that’s literally heartbreaking,” said Erika Qualls, a case manager for the Family Promise of Greater Kingsport. “They’re only bringing in $943 or a thousand dollars a month, how are they gonna live on that?”
The Search for Solutions
Despite vigorous efforts by social service organizations to assist the displaced Westside Inn residents in finding new homes, progress has been slow, with not a single family housed as yet. Several factors complicate the situation, including long waiting times for housing vouchers and the lack of apartments that accept these vouchers. This has resulted in many residents remaining in the inn despite being asked to leave.
Persistent Challenges & Long Term Plans
Shantell Bogle, Executive Director of OASIS of Kingsport, an organization that assists local women, expresses the difficulties that the homeless people are facing, from a lack of places to stay to the cycles of addiction and illegitimate behaviors that result from these desperate circumstances.
However, amidst the pressing challenges, local organization leaders and social workers remain hopeful. “We need to look at our community as a whole and make more affordable housing options,” Qualls emphasized.
Community Efforts Continue
The local community organizations continue to strive to ensure that all former residents of the Westside Inn have a place to call home. As the housing situation continues to unfold, it is clear that a more sustainable solution to the homeless crisis and dearth of affordable housing in Kingsport needs to be prioritized.
