Plan to keep Rock Hill homeless population out of hotels to be reconsidered

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Rock Hill City Council will consider a plan to keep homeless people out of hotels in the area on Monday.

The proposal would prevent Rock Hill residents from staying in hotels for longer than 30 days, require renters to allow guest room inspections and prevent York County residents from renting hotel rooms with exterior doors.

Some Rock Hill residents are worried about how these changes could affect locals without homes, specifically, Rock Hill students without homes.

“So do we just not want them anywhere?” said Taylor Golden, a Rock Hill resident.

The Rock Hill Planning Commission voted against the proposal on Jan. 7. But the city council has the power to change pass the changes.

City staff said the plan is to prevent crime. People living in hotels has led to an increase in calls for service and drug activity, city officials said.

Jennifer Hutchinson is a school board member. She said hundreds of students could be affected by the plan.

“I would just hate to see a child displaced because of a policy the city enacts,” Hutchinson said.

Many students and their parents live in Rock Hill hotels, Hutchinson said. And she hopes they won’t end up on the street.

“I would hope city council would be lenient in their thoughts about making sure families have a warm place to stay at night,” Hutchinson said.

Those living in hotels could be there for many reasons, Hutchinson said. They may have been displaced due to family issues, fires, or poverty.

Students aren’t the only concern, though. Hotels in Rock Hill have raised concerns about business stability.

“It would impact our financial stability and on a personal side it could close our business,” Royal Regency Hotel representative Malay Parto said. “Not all people staying in hotels are causing this problem.”

The first reading of the proposal to the Rock Hill City Council will be on Monday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.

WATCH BELOW: Rock Hill plans to crack down on homeless people living in hotels

Rock Hill plans to crack down on homeless people living in hotels

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