Local

Despite lack of utilities, some still living in closed Kissimmee hotel

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Despite poor living conditions, a lack of utilities and the threat of being charged with trespassing, more than a dozen people continued to live at Parkside Hotel in Kissimmee Monday.

Originally, residents were told they would have to be out of the hotel by Nov. 27, but that deadline was extended to the next Friday.

On Saturday, hotel management sent residents who had not moved out a notice that power and water could be turned off Monday and if they didn't leave, they would be charged with trespassing.

One resident told Channel 9 Monday that he didn't care.

"I don't know, but I'm not leaving," he said.

Others were also refusing to leave while some were hiding in the hotel, despite black mold, bad smells and piles of trash.

Parkside Hotel management gave residents only a short time to move out, which left many with no place to go.

Lisa Hollaway has been staying at the hotel for six months with her husband and son.

They were paying $265 a week to stay at Parkside, but they have found the cost to move prohibitive.

"They need to give people more time or they need to let us know what's really going on here," Hollaway said. "We can't afford $400 a week, and that's everything that we are finding right now."

Hollaway said the stress of the situation caused her to be hospitalized after suffering a nervous breakdown.

Parkway Hotel management did not respond when Channel 9 asked for a comment on the situation.

Karen Parks

Karen Parks, WFTV.com

Karen Parks is a reporter at WFTV.