KANSAS CITY — Fire last week destroyed their homes. Now, those who escaped that apartment building fire fear they’re about to become victims again.
About 10 people say they’re about to become homeless for the second time in a week. These people escaped when fire destroyed the Goldston Apartments Wednesday. But they haven’t been able to find new places to call home.
All of the tenants were residents at the apartment building at 36th and Troost, which burned on July 3. They escaped with literally the clothes on their backs. The Red Cross has provided temporary shelter at a nearby motel, and food and clothing for the survivors. But that all ends today. People FOX 4 News talked with say they have been unable to find new homes because they had just paid their July rent before the fire happened, and they don’t have enough money to put down on a new apartment somewhere else.
About 10 victims checked out of the motel Monday. They all tell me they have no place to stay.
“I’ve tried to find a place to live but it’s pretty difficult,” said Mozell Vaughan, one of the fire victims. “On a day’s notice you know with something so traumatic happening. So fast it’s hard to try to recoup from that.”
The Red Cross tells FOX 4 News that case workers continue to work with fire victims, reaching out to community resources that might be able to provide housing for the fire victims. The Red Cross says it should be able to find places for people like Vaughan for tonight. They just don’t know yet, where that’s going to be.
The Red Cross also is urging tenants to work with their landlord. Since they have already paid July rent, the landlord may refund part of their payments or provide rental space in other buildings. Tenants tell FOX 4 News they tried talking with the landlord about those options, but so far they’re still in limbo.