Management at a New York Radisson was happy to book 100 rooms for a ‘government group,’ but was less enthused when they learned that the accommodations were for the homeless.
New York City has a homeless population of over 50 thousand people, and the need for shelter becomes more urgent as the temperature drops.
As a temporary shelter solution, 100 rooms were booked at a Radisson Hotel in Jamaica, Queens.
Management there was initially happy to take in what the person securing the space called a ‘government group,’ but was less enthused when it was learned that the rooms were for the homeless.
That detail wasn’t disclosed to the hotel until the accommodations were confirmed and it was clarified that the department requesting lodging was the city’s Department of Homeless Services.
The 10-day booking was honored by the Radisson, and management admitted that it didn’t cause any disruptions in service.
Rooms were still rented to guests and there were no incidents.
Food for those staying in the government block was provided by the city.
That doesn’t mean the Jamaica Radisson will ever let it happen again.
Said the manager, “This is a hotel, not a shelter, and we want to keep it this way. We have a business to run and a reputation to keep and we intend on keeping it."
