The e-commerce company Amazon will open a shelter for the homeless in one of its new buildings in Seattle, United States. The location will provide temporary housing for up to 65 families until they can find permanent housing.
The site where the new building will be constructed was actually an old hotel in the city center that Amazon purchased with the intention of replacing it with another of its offices. However, last year, the company gave up the space, which was still not being used, for the installation of a shelter for the homeless.
When the multinational decided to demolish the building, it was expected that the shelter would be closed and its residents expelled from the site. However, Amazon surprised everyone by announcing that it intends to share the new building with the shelter and its inhabitants.
The company will allocate approximately half of the six-story building for the shelter, providing about 430 square meters for the installation of private rooms that can accommodate up to 65 families, or about 220 people and their pets. The shelter, which is expected to open in early 2020, will have its own entrance and elevators.
According to John Schoettler (photo), Amazon’s vice president of real estate, the company intends to spend “tens of millions of dollars” on the design and construction of the shelter. The company also promised to cover the basic expenses of the location, such as water and electricity, and assured that it does not intend to charge rent.
Source: veja.abril.com.br