In 2018, Rick and Kelly Bestul became the owners of King Motel off State Highway 7 on the west side of Hutchinson, Minnesota.
In the 7 years since the Bestuls took over the King Motel, they reported a growing number of guests have taken out extended stays because they didn’t have access to permanent housing.
Although Minneapolis officials say homelessness rates have dropped in the last year, the Bestuls have seen the problem grow in their neck of the woods.
“On a rural level, it is here,” Kelly Bestul told CBS News. “They tent in the summer. They come here in the winter.”
During the pandemic, the Bestuls noticed that other motels and hotels have had success converting their property into affordable housing units.
That’s when they began doing the same at both the King Motel and their other property, the newly renovated Queen’s Inn.
Average hotel rates in Minnesota range between $50 and $150 a night — meaning that a seven-night stay averages $700.
But the Bestuls capped their week-long stays at $300, knowing it’s much closer to what their guests can afford.
“This just works for them because they’ve had other houses, but they end up not being able to take care of them or don’t know how to pay all the bills,” Bestul said. “This is one-and-done because all the utilities are included.”
Bestul estimates that “80 percent” of her clientele would be homeless without their services.
“I really want to show people – [and] my husband's the same way – life doesn't have to be this deep and hard,” Bestul said. “Yes, it's an uphill climb, but it's possible.”
Header images via King Motel / Facebook
