A vacant hotel in Jacksonville could be getting a new purpose.
The owner of the Red Carpet Inn voluntarily shut down the hotel after it had two fires, leading to the state and city getting involved in 2019.
It has been vacant ever since, but now, United Way of Onslow County members want to turn it into transitional housing.
They said it would help different disadvantaged groups in the community. That could be homeless veterans, people coming home after incarceration, young adults exiting foster care and more.
Transitional housing offers long-term care for residents compared to a typical homeless shelter. They offer resources to help people staying get back on their feet, ranging from substance abuse treatment to financial counseling.
Some people stay for months or years to become a functioning member of society.
“This hotel, vacant hotel, has 111 units in here. So, that’s 111 people that we could provide transitional housing for,” President of United Way of Onslow County Raquel Painter said. “But, not just the housing. Give them the resources they need to thrive and become functioning residents in our community.”
Painter estimates it would cost close to $8 million to buy and renovate the hotel. In a statement provided to WNCT, Jacksonville City Manager Joshua Ray said “The City supports the United Way in their efforts to redevelop this property. The United Way, under Raquel’s leadership, is an excellent community partner,” he said. “They understand the needs that we have and have taken the lead to attack our needs. We will continue to work alongside the United Way to address our community challenges.”
If you’re interested in investing or donating to the cause, you can email Painter at rpainter@uwonslow.org.
by: Olivia Wolfson, Courtney Layton
WNCT