Homeless Voice; Will Write for Food 2015

‘I hate this place’ Cononie hates hotel location, plans to purchase island or ship instead

One idea Cononie is considering is purchasing an island. Submitted photo.

By Malorie Paine No man is an island, entire of itself, especially Sean Cononie and the residents of the COSAC shelter. Cononie is infamous in south and central Florida for his ideals and philosophies in addressing homelessness. Cononie relocated his COSAC shelter from Hollywood, Florida to Haines City earlier this year, after the city forced them out. Cononie’s plan was to move somewhere isolated, but the problems he faced in Hollywood haven’t disappeared. They’ve simply evolved and new problems have arisen. “I hate this place,” Cononie said. “I hate my job because every day is a problem. I don’t like being threatened to get arrested for wiping pee up or cleaning someone’s poop up or dressing their wounds.” Currently, he owns and operates the Stay Plus Inn in Haines City. The facility provides rooms to both homeless and the general public. He’s at the hotel for now, but Cononie has been tossing around several ideas about what his next step will be. Isolating homelessness People don’t want to see homelessness, Cononie said. Cities have tried to outlaw homelessness, he says, and it’s impossible to do that. The most frustrating thing for Cononie is that the governments have been trying to put homelessness “out of sight, and out of mind.” He’s considering two options that he believes would be better for the shelter residents. Cononie has investigated the process to purchase either an island or an old cruise or Navy ship, where shelter residents and other homeless people could move. He says one of the three islands he’s considering costs about $995,000 to purchase, but would be much more cost effective in the long-run.

Purchasing an old Navy or cruise ship wasn’t an idea Cononie came up with on his own, but he says it’s one he has certainly explored. “A ship could house about 5,000 people,” he said. Cononie says he is disappointed in people who want to put homelessness out of mind. He says buying an island would give people a “free pass” to do just that, which is the only reason he would consider not buying an island.

Analysis of plan A homeless island or ship sounds like a great idea, until you consider the logistics of the actual idea. Sure, an island where all homeless people could go and feel welcome sounds great, but people shouldn’t be isolated on a ship or island for the rest of their lives. Some of the residents at Stay Plus Inn already feel like they are isolated and away from the things they need and want, I don’t

Cononie wants to present the idea of low-income hotels across the country on the television show “Shark Tank,” a show where inventors can present their ideas to a group of investors who are then able to invest in the proposal. Cononie says he thinks this particular show would provide the greatest opportunity to reach people willing and able to make a difference. “Even if it wasn’t selected, someone watching might think ‘Hey, I could do that,’” he said. Then, they could work together, he says. “I believe this concept would work other places because it’s working for us,” he said. The idea behind the hotel is that not everyone can afford a room, but that shouldn’t prevent a person from having a place to stay. “Some pay, some don’t,” Cononie said. The shelter would have to be replicated in a lowincome area where homelessness is prevalent. “Everywhere has a bad area,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to open one of these next to an upscale restaurant, obviously.”

see how they would be comfortable living in even more of an isolated situation. In addition to the isolation, a lot goes into inhibiting an island. The island would still need plumbing and a stockpile of supplies such as food and basic necessities. The likelihood of a homeless island or ship being successful is slim to none.

Analysis of plan This idea could become a reality for other cities. However, it would take someone willing to put in the effort and work required to operate a low-income hotel. This couldn’t be opened with the intention of making money. It would absolutely have to be for the right reason, which is only to

Homeless hotels possible for other cities Cononie said he would love to see others take responsibility in addressing homelessness. The Stay Plus Inn’s operation model is one that could be replicated in other cities with a prevalent homeless population, he said.

help resolve homelessness. I believe with the right people behind it, the Stay Plus Inn could certainly b e replicated.

Homeless voice • will write for food

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