Homeless Hotel Deal Falls Apart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np2RWDMq5I8 
A plan to finish clearing out New Haven homeless shelters by renting hotel rooms to curb the spread of Covid-19 fell apart after West Haven demanded over $4,000 a day for police protection.
Meanwhile, the number of Covid-related deaths in New Haven rose by two to 11.
Those were among the latest local developments Monday in the pandemic.
The total number of confirmed New Haven cases rose to 336, as the spread of the infection in town picks up. The two latest people to die were in their late 50s and mid 80s, according to city Health Director Maritza Bond.
Meanwhile, New Haven and the state have gradually been moving homeless out of local shelters to hotel rooms because of the risk posed to both homeless guests and shelter employees by cramming people into confined spaces where “social distancing” is near impossible.
Columbus House has already been cleared out under that plan.
The state had reached a deal with Best Western of West Haven to rent 90 rooms on behalf of homeless people starting Monday. That would have covered the last 80 or so people staying at the Grand Avenue shelter and a Winthrop Avenue warming center as well as another up to 60 people currently on the streets looking for safe lodging, according to New Haven Community Services Administrator Mehul Dalal. Some people who show no signs of having contracted the coronavirus could safely double up, while others would have their own rooms.
This plan is separate from plans to house homeless people who have contracted Covid-19, but don’t require hospitalization, in a soon-to-open emergency facility at Career Regional High School.
Officials said they’re working on finding another hotel for the remaining noninfected homeless population, or perhaps a way to resuscitate the Best Western deal.
“I’m not really sure what’s going on at this point,” said Best Western Manager Eileen Poisson, who was looking for more clarity Monday evening.
The deal fell apart after West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno wrote a letter requiring Best Western to pony up for extra-duty cops.
In order “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those housed” at the 490 Saw Mill Rd. hotel, Perno wrote, Best Western would have to hire two officers 24 hours a day “while this housing is in effect.” After consulting with the city’s finance department, he wrote, he set the following prices:
• $61.92 per hour per cop, for a total of $2,972.15 per day.
• $24 per hour for the required use of a police vehicle as part of the assignment, or $600 a day.
• $606 per day for officer benefits.
• Plus an 18 percent administrative fee on that $4,178.16. That brings the total daily cost to $4,930.23.
No other community has apparently made a similar request to the state in its deals with other hotels to house homeless people during the Covid-19 crisis.
Perno and Mayor Nancy Rossi did not return requests for comment for this story. (On Tuesday, West Haven’s corporation counsel wrote this article detailing West Haven’s side of the story.)
Former Columbus House Executive Director Alison Cunningham, who’s helping the city address the Covid-19 homeless challenges, said time is of the essence.
“It’s a huge public health issue,” she said. “People have to congregate in shower facilities and eating facilities [at shelters]. To create social distancing in cramped quarters — it’s nearly impossible to do.”
“Thank goodness that we started early to decompress our shelters,” Cunningham said. “We are so much farther along than most states. We should be grateful to city and state leadership.”
Markets Inspected
The city health department Monday began inspecting local food markets to enforce rules on keeping customers six feet apart (inside and outside), limiting aisle traffic to one-way, and when possible shielding cashiers from customers.
No citations were issued, according to Health Director Bond.
One stop was at Ferraro’s Market on Grand Avenue, a smaller supermarket that has been crowded in recent weeks.
Market General Manager Al Lauro told the Independent that plexiglass was installed Monday to protect cashiers.
“We’re doing pretty well. We’re letting 30 in a time. We’re having employees reminding customers about the six-foot distance” both inside and outside, Lauro said.
The task is challenging, he said: “We’re not a very large store.” And the other day, “the rain didn’t help” with keeping people spread apart outside.”
Bond said her department will continue following up on complaints.
Other Updates
Also Monday:
• Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the I-95 Pearl Harbor Memorial (aka “Q”) Bridge will be lit up red starting tonight “to honor the thousands of Connecticut health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
• The city health department has worked with SeeClickFix to launch this dedicated portal (pictured) for Covid-19 help or complaints, like about public gatherings or stores violating emergency closure or social-distancing rules.
posted by: MrHinkyDink on April 6, 2020 7:37pm
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…the Police “Extra-Duty” is nothing more than sanctioned extortion. Just look at the numbers quoted above. Right now, there is minor, minimal crime taking place, few if any accidents, no traffic stops to speak of, yet West Haven wants overtime for its force. It’s disgusting. Why two officers, why cars, why benefits over what they’d get regardless of this assignment, which is no more than sitting in the lobby & in the office watching security screens?? Why an administration fee @ 18{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} to enter hours into the payroll system? Holy Smokes! And West Haven pales in comparison to New Haven & Hamden. It’s an embarrassment that they’d put this quote out there.
posted by: Reclaimer53 on April 6, 2020 9:23pm
Regardless of what city New Haven or West Haven a hotel is not the best solution? These are people used to living on the
streets. How will the COVID-19 infected self isolate. Your endangering the under paid hotel staff. Please don’t suggest hiring a minimum wage contract security guard ether. How did that work out in many of New Havens elderly housing?
posted by: watchfuleye on April 6, 2020 10:40pm
There should definitely be police on duty at the hotels housing these homeless individuals, often times they suffer from mental health and drug addiction and they may do something that they wouldn’t normal do if they were in there right mind. Extra protection for everyone is needed. At the price that was quoted I’m not sure. Also whomever said crime is down, no it’s not! Apparently not reading the paper or watching the news People are robbing big time, its sad. Car thefts, stores. It’s sad.
posted by: CLaudia H on April 6, 2020 10:57pm
Still happening again and again. Why homeless responsibility is only New Haven’s ?
Where are West and East Haven homeless shelters?
And why the gracious West Haven police contacted direct to Hotel? The Mayor asked them to do it since she refused to approve the needs in her city ,
For sure WH is not making progress with the neighbor cross to their line to stop virus and save lives. Weird combination between WH city Hall and their police department.
posted by: THREEFIFTHS on April 7, 2020 10:39am
posted by: MrHinkyDink on April 6, 2020 7:37pm
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…the Police “Extra-Duty” is nothing more than sanctioned extortion.
How is it extortion.The hotel is paying for this.
In order “to ensure the safety and well being of those housed” at the 490 Saw Mill Rd. hotel, Perno wrote, Best Western would have to hire two officers 24 hours a day “while this housing is in effect.”
The question is how much a day is the hotel charging a day?Trust me I bet it is over 100.00 a day.
posted by: THREEFIFTHS on April 7, 2020 10:41am
posted by: Claudia Herrera on April 6, 2020 10:57pm
Still happening again and again. Why homeless responsibility is only New Haven’s ?
The question is why did the city of New Haven allow all these homeless shelters to be build?The city does not own them.Milford has a homeless shelter.I have drop a lot of people there.
posted by: newhavenishome on April 7, 2020 11:50am
Why can’t we use the Armory on Goffe Street? Isn’t there anyway to outfit temporary living space there? It is a huge space.
And yes,shame on West Haven.
posted by: NHTeacherPE on April 7, 2020 12:11pm
So it’s shame on WH now when Hotels like the Omni or New Haven Hotel has not set up base either. Honestly there should be police guarding the hotels or schools for this and somehow cities need to realize it’s either fork over the money or do it within your own budget. WH should take in the homeless and shelter them because the hotel over by The Sandbar is remote enough to keep social distance available. New Haven is a sanctuary city so in times like this New Haven needs to have a protocol set up for the homeless that doesn’t include placing tents on the green. Cities need to be empathetic to each other’s needs and take care of each other. I’m guessing the Omni and NH Hotel had a huge price tag or just said no. You can’t be a sanctuary city and not have shelters set up for those who need it including those citizens that are born and raised in your town.
posted by: Chris246 on April 7, 2020 1:45pm
To Mr. HinkyDink
Any business housing homeless individuals need to have a police presence at that location. Police officers working extra duty so to make extra money for their families and in many instances have to work longer hours that will take them away from their families.
The police officer profession is different than any other. Officers get injured in the line of duty, work holidays, many work a lot of overtime and private jobs because that is what is required. It is a job of sacrifice that all of us knew was in the job description. I think that any extra money should go right to the officers themselves and not to administrative fees.
Minimal and minor crime are the types of crime that destroy the quality of life of all around. And it leads to bigger and more serious crime. That’s a fact.
Support all law enforcement.
Have a nice day
posted by: CLaudia H on April 7, 2020 3:11pm
To THREEFIFTHS.
Few years ago I work in Madison and in a conversation between patients, commented and recommended it to each other “just go and drop them in NH”
They where talking about people in their community who become homeless. Madison!!
My point to your answer/ question :
why there are so many none profits organizations in New Haven? Even worst, how many staff and their founders are living IN new Haven ?
Still Hamden, Branford, North, East, and West Haven where are their part ? Money founds, shelters or any other kind of support to New Haven? Hopefully in the future (after all this incredible human virus crises) Mayor Justin can make an attempt to found links of responsibility with all this cross lines neighborhood Cities.
Homeless is a huge social, health, addiction, mental, safety and humanitarian community indie our communities they are, we like it or not, they are Part of every community.
posted by: THREEFIFTHS on April 7, 2020 3:58pm
posted by: Claudia Herrera on April 7, 2020 3:11pm
Homeless is a huge social, health, addiction, mental, safety and humanitarian community indie our communities they are, we like it or not, they are Part of every community.
This is no question about what you wrote .But as I have wrote in the pass on this problem.The people have to push to have in the Conn state Constitution like New York has call Article XVII of the New York State Constitution, which declares that “the aid, care and support of the needy are public concerns and shall be provided by the state and by such of its subdivisions….” A lawyer named Robert Hayes, who co-founded Coalition for the Homeless, brought a class action lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court against the City and State called Callahan v. Carey, arguing that a constitutional right to shelter existed in New York and won.Again the fight should be getting this put into the Conn. State Constitution.
The Callahan Legacy: Callahan v. Carey and the Legal Right to Shelter
The landmark victory in the 1979 lawsuit Callahan v. Carey paved the way for further legal victories that ensured the right to shelter for homeless men, women, children, and families in New York City.
