Baltimore Mayor Finalizes Deal To Purchase Two Hotels To Shelter The Unhoused

A commitment announced nearly three years ago is finally being honored in the city of Baltimore.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott of Baltimore secured a deal to buy the Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor and the Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-Downtown that, thankfully, will be turned into long-term shelters for Baltimore's unhoused residents, according to the Baltimore Banner.

“Glad to have reached a deal to purchase these two hotels to significantly expand our ability to address the needs of Baltimore’s most vulnerable residents,” Scott wrote on his Instagram post. “…Thanks to @baltimoremohs, @recoverbmore, and all of our partners for working to secure a fair deal for the city. #ARPAinAction."

According to the Baltimore Banner, the Sleep Inn & Suites has 62 rooms, while the Holiday Inn has 90 beds within 68 rooms. Still, the Baltimore Banner reports that Baltimore needs more shelters, as the number of bedrooms acquired was still lower than the initial goal of 100 to 200 rooms per hotel in an effort to support 600 residents.

Although the number of those going through homelessness in Baltimore declined 3% in 2023, which is a slight drop from the prior year, the national total spiked by 12%, according to an annual estimate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, Maryland evictions have increased, unfortunately, since 2023, according to the state judiciary data.

Baltimore homelessness officials needed for the hotels deal to have transpired at a sooner date, according to the outlet. But the delay happened because of Scott’s efforts to make sure the sites were “high quality,” “safe,” and could be for long-term housing units.

“We can keep adding and adding and adding shelter all day long, but all we’re doing is warehousing people at that point,” Jeff Garrett, chair of Baltimore’s Continuum of Care board, said.

As for the next step: the shelters need to have Baltimore’s spending board approve the $18 million purchase agreement, which includes $15.2 million for the hotels themselves. And, “the $3.2 million go to the current management group for nine months of maintenance as well as operations.”