Norcross
Study reveals who is living in extended-stay motels and why
On Tuesday, LiveNorcross released survey results of the residents living in 9 extended-stay motels within city limits. The groundbreaking study sought to find out who lives in these hotels and what barriers they face to finding permanent housing.
The study found that 9 of the 14 hotels located within city limits serve as the primary residence for many. These nine motels account for 1,249 rooms for rent. Researchers were able to survey 175 residents living among 1,249 available rooms at these motels. Financial challenges represented the primary reason patrons gave for moving into an extended-stay motel.
The majority of these residents have jobs but are struggling financially and can’t afford the upfront financial obligations to move into a rental unit. Sixty-nine percent have one or two full-time jobs, but only 43 percent take home more than $2,000 per month. Only a small fraction receive any public assistance.
The report goes on to recommend several policy changes the city might consider to help alleviate these families’ challenges. View the full report: www.tinyurl.com/LiveNorcrossReport.
KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC
COUNTYWIDE
Gwinnett to provide summer meals for needy children
Gwinnett in partnership with Georgia Nutritional Services will provide daily summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. As the sponsor, GNSI will secure Meals for Kids to serve as the food vendor for the program at no cost to the county. The program will provide a free daily meal and snack to needy children 18 and under and to anyone 19 or older who is mentally and physically disabled.
The program will run weekdays June 3-28 and July 8 - Aug. 2 (no service July 1 – 5). Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and snack from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Three parks are participating: Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross, Lilburn Activity Building, 788 Hillcrest Road in Lilburn and Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 East Crogan St. in Lawrenceville. For a location to be eligible for the Summer Food Service Program, the site must be located in a Board of Education school cluster where more than 50 percent of its students receive free or reduced lunch.
Information: www.GwinnettParks.com.
KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC
UPCOMING
- Norcross Patriotic Memorial Event. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive, Norcross. This city-sponsored event will include food, music and guest speaker Tyler Reiss, a Norcross Police employee and U.S. Army Ranger. A five-piece band, The 116th Army Band, will perform. The Norcross Masonic Lodge will give away hot dogs. aPlaceToImagine.com
- Duluth Fridays-N-Duluth. 6-8 p.m. May 31 and every Friday through August. Free. Parsons Alley, Duluth Town Green, 140 Main St. DuluthGa.net
- Duluth Block Party on Main: The Breakfast Club. 8-10 p.m. concert May 31 and on the last Fridays through August. Free. Festival Center stage, Duluth Town Green, 140 Main St. DuluthGa.net
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