Chaos at Charlotte Hotel: Residents Left in the Dark
Charlotte is facing a troubling situation as tenants at the Lamplighter Inn grapple with recurring utility outages and unsanitary living conditions. Alicia Harvey was enjoying a quiet morning reading a book and sharing breakfast with her daughter when the electricity suddenly went out around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Not Just a One-Time Incident
Sadly, this wasn’t an isolated incident. Harvey, who has lived at the hotel with her two teenage daughters since February, stated that it has become a pattern. “When I went to my bathroom to flip the light on… I was like ‘Oh my God, now we’re without power,'” she said. This incident follows last week’s unexpected shutoffs of both water and gas, leaving many tenants baffled and frustrated.
While tenants reported that water was restored soon after its abrupt cut, the gas service remains unavailable. Life at the hotel has become increasingly difficult, with many residents forced to cook and clean without hot water. Some even resorted to boiling water on hot plates in their rooms to manage basic hygiene.
Hope for a Quick Resolution
After the power outage, residents remained hopeful that electricity would be restored by morning. Many tenants speculated that this could be a tactic by the hotel’s owner to expedite their departure. Harvey is among many who moved in due to a program called Vermelle’s Place, designed to offer transitional housing but has fallen short of its promises.
A Troubling Investigation
A recent investigation revealed that instead of providing supportive services, tenants are living in concerning conditions, dealing with issues like poor plumbing, leaking ceilings, and cockroaches. The nonprofit originally managing Vermelle’s Place ended its lease in December, leading to a series of unfortunate events as the program transitioned to being managed by a private company, 4C.
As troubles continued, the hotel’s owner, Chandresh Patel, sold the property to a neighboring hotel. In a recent text, Patel stated, “I’m not responsible here.” Meanwhile, residents reported a troubling lack of communication regarding repairs and upkeep.
Worsening Conditions
Conditions at the Lamplighter have become increasingly dire. Trash has begun to accumulate in the walkways, creating potential health hazards, as the owner has reportedly stopped collecting it. One resident, Genese Wilson, has been living in tight quarters with seven family members. “It’s gotten so bad I had to pay someone to remove the trash,” she expressed.
Safety Concerns and Medical Issues
In addition to trash, Wilson’s family’s living conditions include a window with multiple bullet holes, covered hastily with cardboard. Residents Ellen Miller and Eveco Haggins shared that the leaking in their room has worsened, making living conditions unbearable.
Further complicating matters, the city’s code enforcement has begun taking action, taping complaints of unsatisfactory living conditions at the hotel’s office door. For many residents like Wilson, daily life has become a juggling act of concerns—from managing spoiled groceries due to power outages to worries about keeping essential medications cold.
An Advocate Steps In
Many residents have enlisted the help of Apryl Lewis, an advocate who organizes support for tenants facing these challenges. Lewis is working diligently to involve city officials, fighting for basic utilities to be restored.
A Fragile Situation
Ultimately, Lamplighter Inn residents find themselves in a precarious spot. For many, this hotel is not just a temporary shelter; it’s the last line of defense against homelessness. Residents report that these utility cutoffs and unsanitary conditions are taking a toll on their mental health, with Harvey stating that she felt like she was failing as a mother because of their living conditions.
The struggle continues as tenants wait for something to change. With whispered hopes for a better tomorrow, Charlotte’s Lamplighter Inn becomes a daily battle amidst uncertainty and strife.
