A new report has been released, and is a comprehensive analysis of the living conditions and grievances of unhoused residents currently and formerly occupying the “Rodeway Inn” hotel.
This is the introduction, and the full report can be downloaded here:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Project-Roomkey-Review-of-Abode-and-Rodeway-v.1.3.pdf
The Rodeway Inn is located at 1461 University Ave. In Berkeley California. The age of the building is unknown at this time. Rodeway Inn is currently operated under “Project Roomkey” a series of transitional living facilities whose program offers individual or shared rooms to chronically homeless individuals for a limited time until permanent supportive housing can be secured.
Project Roomkey is a program initially funded by the State Of California through intermediaries such as Alameda County. However, since 2020 most if not all funding is provided by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In its current form the Rodeway Inn Project Roomkey program is managed by local non-profit and contractor “Abode Services”. Abode operates several hotel and alternative shelter programs in the area as well as offering other homelessness services including outreach and housing case management in Alameda County. While Abode is currently contracted through Project Roomkey, recent developments (including a consent calendar item introduced at a recent Berkeley City Council meeting*) have shown that in coming months the Rodeway Inn program will be financed by the City Of Berkeley and UC Berkeley respectfully.
“Where Do We Go Berkeley”(WDWG) is a non-profit advocacy group based in Berkeley CA. WDWG has been in contact with the Rodeway Residents in question for over 3 years in several collaborative and supportive capacities. WDWG was instrumental in ensuring the placement of most residents by coordinating with “Lifelong Medical Street Medicine Team” who managed hotel referrals during the eviction of “Seabreeze” and “Ashby Shellmound” encampments. It is for this reason that WDWG carries the responsibility of ensuring that all who entered this Project Roomkey site are allowed the same rights and respect that any housed individual would be entitled to.
Almost immediately after unhoused residents from the I-80 Corridor were placed at Rodeway Inn, WDWG began receiving numerous complaints of misconduct and mistreatment regarding Abode staff. WDWG is bound by its mission statement and organizing documents to take each complaint it receives seriously and to attempt negotiation and advocacy for remedies that would be satisfactory to the complaining party. To that extent, WDWG feels ignoring or dismissing complaints would make them complicit and liable for any injury that may occur to their clientele during participation in a program such as “Roomkey”.
Contained in this report is a series of findings and recommendations. Some findings are based on declarations made by Rodeway Inn residents while others were witnessed directly by members of Where Do We Go Berkeley. Because of the discrimination inherent in homelessness issues, WDWG is inclined to believe allegations made by residents unless clear evidence can be provided that shows otherwise. While not all allegations have been submitted to Abode through their official grievance policy, most if not all issues have been expressed to staff and management at various times.
Project Roomkey – An Independent Review of Abode Services and the Rodeway Inn, Berkeley, California
Where Do We Go Berkeley
Telephone: 510-570-8026
Email: wheredowegoberk@gmail.com
Web: www.wheredowegoberk.org
Download the report:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Project-Roomkey-Review-of-Abode-and-Rodeway-v.1.3.pdf