Renters Fight Skyrocketing Prices at Fayetteville Senior Center
Residents at Wedington Place Senior Apartments in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are reeling from a sudden and drastic rent increase. On August 6, the community was formally notified that rents would rise by as much as 70% for some residents, leaving many to consider alternative housing. The changes will be particularly harsh for the elderly and low-income tenants who depend on the affordable housing the complex once provided.
The sudden increase has sparked a call to action among residents and community members. An information session was organized by Rosa Floyd, whose parents are among those affected, to provide resources and connect residents with local organizations that could help them cope with the price hike. The meeting saw attendees from the city and state, along with local non-profits, come together to support the residents and seek long-term solutions. State Senator Greg Leding, known for his advocacy on renter rights, attended the session and expressed the ongoing struggle to protect tenants in Arkansas.
The rent increase has been especially criticized because it disproportionately affects the elderly and low-income residents. Many fear being forced to leave their homes and start anew, which would be both emotionally and financially challenging for them. The new rent prices, with some one-bedroom units increasing from 0 to 0 per month, have left tenants like Trevva Janson, who has lived at Wedington Place for over eight years, wondering if they will need to relocate altogether.
