The Mesa City Council approved a plan to use the Grand Hotel to house families, seniors and survivors of domestic violence in a 4-3 vote Monday evening. The city purchased the property earlier this year as part of its Off the Streets program.
Mayor John Giles said the city can’t turn its back on homelessness.
“We can either do it in this proactive way that is creating a wraparound services, very affordable program,” said Giles. “The alternative to this is we arrest people and we put them in jail.”
To concerned residents, Giles said the city's involvement will reduce any negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
