INDIANAPOLIS — On Thursday, people who live and work at Oyo Hotel, located on Indianapolis' southwest side, were told they needed to leave.
Kathy Fugate, a resident and employee, didn't hold back.
"They don't give a f*** about people," Fugate said. "I'm really pissed off because we didn't have no knowledge of them doing this."
"I work here and I didn't know anything about it. So, it was just all of a sudden," Heather Melton, another employee and resident, said.
Fugate called WRTV mid-afternoon when in an effort to make people leave, the property owner cut off the electricity and water. With how hot it has been, no one could stay in the rooms under those conditions especially some of the most vulnerable.
"Kids, elderly, we have sick people here. This is the cheapest place we could find. Nobody has no place to go," Fugate said.
"When we told him, the property owner, what about the kids? I can't say what he said, but basically, forget the kids, but a different word," Melton said.
The Office of Public Health & Safety along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrived to help the residents.
OPHS brought in an IndyGo Bus to serve as a cooling space for them. They also provided food as the situation was sorted out.
Crews arrived to turn the electricity and water back on.
Now, residents who decided to stay have a place to call home for at least the next several days. Under Indiana law, a property owner must give at least a 30-day notice if the tenant is on a month-to-month lease. WRTV is told that's the case for many residents at Oyo Hotel.
WRTV has reached out to the old and new property owners to see how they're going to handle the situation moving forward. We have not heard back from either as this article was published.
-
Still here, still healing: Through the eyes of survivors and advocates
One year after surviving gun violence, Larissa Smith reflects on her recovery with the support of a groundbreaking hospital-based program that offers therapy, resources, and community connections.
Former IU alumni presidents condemn legislation on board appointments
More than two dozen former alumni association presidents signed the letter expressing their disappointment in a move ending rights to elect members to the IU board of trustees.
Governor Braun marks 100 days in office, highlights key priorities
The governor described his first 100 days as productive. He claimed that the legislative session dealt with this policy issue effectively, at least for the time being.
Ivy Tech cancels free summer program for high school students
Ivy Tech announced it is discontinuing its free summer school program due to "a challenging fiscal environment that is impacting all public higher education institutions in Indiana."
