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Columbia Motel Becomes Homeless Shelter During COVID-19 Pandemic

Columbia City Hall
Meiying Wu / KBIA

A low-cost hotel has become the front line for assisting the homeless residents of Columbia during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Welcome Inn is hosting the CoMo Crisis Shelter, which is housing homeless people in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the population. 

Each room houses two people, which isn't ideal, the CoMo Crisis Shelter website states, but allows it to house more people while still lowering the risk of transmission overall.

The CoMo Crisis Shelter was created by Second Ward Councilman Mike Trapp and his brother, John Trapp. In a post on his personal blog, the councilman describes how the shelter went from an idea to a reality in four days.

The shelter is funded by the city, seasonal homeless shelter Room at the Inn, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Missouri United Way and individual donations, according to Mike Trapp's blog post. 

To read more, visit our partners at the Columbia Missourian.

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