In a commendable effort to tackle homelessness, Flagstaff Shelter Services recently unveiled an innovative housing solution with the opening of the Lantern, a transformed hotel now providing homes to over 100 individuals. This project, years in the making, marks a significant milestone for the nonprofit, which aims to offer stability and dignity to those facing housing challenges.
The grand opening event saw a turnout of public officials and local residents. Among the attendees was Glenn Ezell, 68, a former food scientist who found himself in difficult circumstances after the passing of his wife. “I absolutely had no intention of being homeless nor staying at the shelter services,” Ezell shared, reflecting on his journey after losing his wife to colon cancer 15 years ago.
Ezell is one of the first residents to move into the Lantern, finding solace in familiar surroundings reminiscent of his past experiences traveling and staying in hotels. “It gives me back dignity and reminds me that I have worth and that I matter,” he said.
The Arizona Department of Housing supported the endeavor with funds from the American Rescue Plan, highlighting a collaborative approach to addressing homelessness.
Governor Katie Hobbs, present at the inauguration, emphasized the importance of collaboration in such initiatives. “I’ve worked with homeless individuals my entire career as a social worker, so it’s a huge priority for my administration,” Hobbs remarked. She stressed the need for innovative solutions to combat the escalating cost of living, suggesting that similar projects could serve as a model across the state.
This is the second hotel conversion by Shelter Services, following their 2022 transformation of a Howard Johnson motel on Route 66 into the Crown, aimed at providing family housing. Ross Schaefer, Executive Director, noted the positive impact of offering private rooms, stating, “At the Crown in the first year that folks moved over there, we saw 30% of our folks self-resolve out of homelessness simply by having access to their own room.”
While the Lantern is not intended as a permanent residence, it focuses on supporting seniors and the medically vulnerable, providing a crucial alternative to group shelters. “We’re really talking about the people that are most likely to die on the streets,” Schaefer explained, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
The enhanced shelter capacity comes at a critical time for Flagstaff, a city frequently facing harsh winters with heavy snowfall. “We know that people just do better when they have their own roof and their own room to go home to. It makes real sense,” Schaefer concluded.
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