Chattanooga's city council approved the purchase of Lee Highway's Airport Inn.

The city plans to refurbish the hotel as part of a push to increase affordable housing in the city, after prices skyrocketed in recent years.

"I think it’s good that they’re starting to realize that low-income people can’t afford these apartments that are 1,000 or 1200 dollars," says Brandi Cox, a local Waffle House employee who's concerned about the areas high crime and homelessness rates.

We had a shooting like 3 or 4 months ago right here in the parking lot and then they’ve found several people who have OD’d at this hotel... It's rough over here," says Cox.

Crime, poor conditions, and illicit drug activities are a recurring issue at Airport Inn. Local businesses say they are constantly finding needles thrown on their property from hotel residents.

Several concerns have been raised about the refurbished hotel possibly exacerbating the situation.

City councilwoman Carol Berz dismissed the concerns. "This is nothing more than taking blighted property and turning it around and using the community to help design what they think it should look like," said Berz.

The property has 73 units and 29,317 square feet of space. There are also plans to install two-bedroom suites.

The project will be funded by a portion of the $39 million allocated from the American Rescue Plan. However, the funding will only cover the initial cost.

City funds are expected to be used in the future, as rent will not be enough to maintain the facility in the future.