PEORIA, Ill. – The city of Peoria has given a lifeline to keep downtown’s New Hope Apartments open for the time being.

The city council Tuesday night unanimously approved $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for fire protection or hiring additional staff at the supportive living facility. This comes after the building was briefly condemned after two recent arson incidents .

The fire department had determined the building could not be occupied without ongoing security for a fire watch, due to the lack of working fire alarms in the building. The Red Cross is providing temporary support through December 18th, and around 20 people will be relocated to either Dream Center of Pathway Ministries.

Potential uses for the $300,000 includes replacing or fixing the fire alarm system, hiri

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