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Nonprofit Raising Money To Help Tenants Displaced From West Charlotte Apartments

Owners of Lake Arbor Apartments in west Charlotte want all residents out by Dec. 31 to make way for "revitalization and improvement."
DAVID BORAKS
/
WFAE

United Way of Central Carolinas officials say they have raised nearly $270,000 to help residents displaced from the Lake Arbor apartment complex in west Charlotte. United Way Director and CEO Laura Clark says the funds will be used for a variety of needs.

“So, as they’re being displaced and need things like rental deposits, or utility hookups or moving expenses things like that," Clark said. "That for most if not all of these families certainly hadn't planned for. They don't have those kinds of resources. And so we want to make sure that we're able to help transition them to new permanent housing as soon as possible.”

The organization made a special appeal to businesses and government agencies to help the residents, who were informed in July that they would have to move so the complex’s New York owners could make much-needed repairs at the 288-unit development. Some had to move by the end of August, with the rest given until the end of the year to find other housing. 

The owners of the complex had been cited for issues ranging from rat and roach infestations to poor plumbing, heating, and air conditioning and other safety and maintenance issues.

An assessment by several social service agencies last month determined that displaced tenants would need about $350,000 total to help offset relocation costs.

"There are a high percentage of families who are earning 30% or less of the area median income. And as we all know, that is a particular challenge in terms of finding affordable housing in Charlotte, at that price point," Liana Humphrey of Crisis Assistance Ministry told WFAE.