JULY 29TH. WELL, TWO DOWNTOWN HOTELS ARE NOW HELPING TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS IN BALTIMORE. THIS MORNING, MAYOR BRANDON SCOTT JOINED CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS FOR A RIBBON CUTTING AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND THE SLEEP INN AND SUITES DOWNTOWN DURING THE CODE BLUE SEASON, THE SLEEP INN AND SUITES HOTEL SERVED AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER. IT’S NOW HOUSING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HAS BEEN PRIMARILY USED FOR HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. TACKLING HOMELESSNESS IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH. IT REQUIRES INDIVIDUALIZED AND INNOVATIVE RESPONSE TO EVERY ASPECT OF THE SYSTEM AND EVERY FACTOR THAT CAN LEAD A PERSON TO HOMELESSNESS. THESE HOTELS PROVIDE US MORE CAPACITY AND ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TO CONTINUE THAT WORK WELL. THE CITY PURCHASED THE HOTELS EARLIER THIS YEAR T