Community gives families displaced from South Lake Tahoe apartments some holiday cheer but still in need of permanent housing

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On December 12 six South Lake Tahoe families learned the apartment building they called home was no longer habitable and they had to vacate by December 17.

As the deadline loomed panic set in for the residents of 3546 Spruce Avenue, they tried to find new housing in a city where available rentals are almost non-existent, especially for those of a lower income level without financial means to pay higher rent and deposits.

On the 17th as the deadline was no longer looming but at their doorstep, four families did not know where they would be staying that evening.

South Lake Tahoe is known as a community that cares and steps in when there is a need, and this past week has been no different.

The Coachman Hotel in South Lake Tahoe responded to a plea from Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and offered the four family's accommodations for the week, two until the 23rd and two until the 26th. Lisette Polson, the hotel's general manager, is giving them the rooms free of charge starting Tuesday. She said they moved things around to keep them as long as possible before prior bookings check in.

They also spent one night at Motel 6.

South Lake Tahoe Realtor Amanda Adams saw a post on Facebook about a woman looking to rent a place in Sierra Tract and was concerned it was a scam. Amanda found out it was a scam and told the poster who turned out to be one of the displaced renters on Spruce. The two connected and Amanda, who had a client who had just closed an escrow for a duplex, got the renter settled in this new home. Heavenly Mountain Resort helped out the renter with deposit assistance as well.

"I've been through that, not knowing where you're going to live," said Adams. "I can appreciate the situation they were in."

Also to the rescue, this time with some holiday spirit, were Heavenly Village, Fire and Ice and State Farm Insurance agent Eric Watada. Amy Poole, South Lake Tahoe Police Code Enforcement officer had just delivered the bad news to the tenants on Spruce and was at the Village conducting business when she ran into Dreu Murin and explained the resident's plight. Murin, Watada and Adam Alicea, manager of Fire and Ice had just hosted Breakfast with Santa for two weekends and all funds raised were to go to children and they decided what a perfect way to use the money. On Sunday, December 16, Murin, Watada, Alicea and Poole delivered toys, games, jackets, gloves and warm clothing to six of the children involved. (There will be another Breakfast with Santa at Fire and Ice on Saturday, December 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)

The five remaining families from Spruce are still looking for a place to stay after their time at The Coachman comes to an end. They have been making phone calls, some have applications in with landlords and two have upcoming appointments to meet with them. Finding permanent housing is not a quick process as many can attest to.

"My concern for these families is the amount of time it takes under much better circumstances to find a suitable rental," said Amanda Hammond, McKinney Vento coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. Most of those living at the Spruce Avenue apartments were clients of hers. "I am concerned they will not have adequate time to find rentals and will end up having to use their rent funds meant to rehouse themselves in hotels over the holidays."

Many motels are charging up to $300 a night between Christmas and New Year's, even some who normally house week-to-week renters.

The Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe is taking donations for the families until Friday, December 21 at 3:00 p.m. There is a direct link to donate at their website http://tahoefrc.org/​ or one can go into their office at 3501 B Spruce Avenue anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and drop off a donation. All donations should have a note distinguishing the donation for the affected families.

The lump sum will be divided between the families Friday afternoon according to Hammond. She said the families and their Christmas gift needs have been handled.

In the meantime, the recently vacated apartments are being completely stripped and cleaned out and will then be boarded up. There was a lot of activity there on December 18 with truckloads going to the dump. It is unknown what the property owner's plan is for the future.