Five homeless people have been removed from the Holiday Inn Express in Stevenage, after reports of ‘persistent serious abuse of staff and damage to hotel property.’
The individuals were rehoused by East Herts District Council earlier this month, as part of the government’s programme to put up all homeless persons in hotels during the Covid-19 crisis.
The council had housed 23 single homeless people and one household at the hotel, before numerous complaints arose regarding anti-social behaviour.
A spokesperson for EHDC said on Friday: “For everyone’s wellbeing, all residents are required to follow the basic rules and conditions set for this accommodation.
“We are continuing to provide accommodation for the homeless households at the hotel but unfortunately, despite receiving warnings, five have been asked to leave due to persistent serious abuse of staff and damage to hotel property.”
Local authorities are obliged to notify the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of evictions from hotels – and East Herts council have confirmed they have done so.
Holiday Inn has been approached for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here