CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte’s City Council is looking for ways to make affordable housing safer and more reliable. This comes two months after the closing of a run-down northwest Charlotte motel, the Lamplighter Inn.
Queen City News reported on the Inn’s poor conditions back in November 2024. There were a lot of glaring problems, from inadequate plumbing to zero trash collection.
Since the start of the new year, city leaders have been meeting once a month to see what can be done to prevent a repeat of what was seen at the Lamplighter.
During Monday afternoon’s meeting, Director of Housing & Neighborhood Services Rebecca Hefner acknowledged the building never should have been used for long-term housing, saying “The average motel or hotel room is not designed or built to withstand the rigors of daily life. When hotel rooms are used on an extended stay basis, the rooms often sustain more wear and tear and require more regular maintenance.”
Additionally, Hefner said there were changes Code Enforcement could make so repairs and improvements are done even if a landlord is slow to act. Hefner’s team now plans to host a community roundtable on February 13 with those who were affected by forced displacements, including those living at Lamplighter.
Code Enforcement will go before the council members again in March, where they will be expected to provide recommendations to ensure Charlotte’s affordable housing is properly maintained.
QCNEWS.COM
LAMPLIGHTER INN
