Douglas County tenants face anxiety as rent increases drastically at affordable housing complex – 9News.com KUSA
Douglas County tenants face anxiety as rent increases drastically at affordable housing complex 9News.com KUSA
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Residents at Lincoln Pointe Lofts in Douglas County Face Significant Rent Increases
Residents at the Lincoln Pointe Lofts in Douglas County are seeing rent increases with some being as high as $370 more every month.
Introduction
What is supposed to be affordable housing will not be affordable any more for some tenants at the Lincoln Pointe Lofts after many of them received notices at their door about significant rent increases.
Background
The property, which was originally financed under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, is home to people who use the government housing program to keep a roof over their head.
Tenant Testimonials
Brandi MacMillian, a tenant at the complex, said living there had allowed her to maintain a home for her and her son.
“It’s been a way that we could live a comfortable lifestyle,” MacMillian said.
However, MacMillian recently received notice that her rent will rise to $1712 per month in 2024, which is an extra $370 per month — a 27% increase.
“I mean, $50 to $100 is reasonable, but doing something where it’s like almost $400 is insane,” she said.
Another tenant, Jordan Lama, said her rent is increasing by $200 per month, nearly 13%. Lama, who has lived at Lincoln Pointe for about a decade, said the increase has left her family unable to stay in their two-bedroom unit.
“I can’t live here anymore…. It was a shock,” Lama said.
Lama’s family plans to move into a smaller, one-bedroom apartment in another complex.
“We didn’t know what to do at first,” Lama said, holding her infant son. “We decided moving is the best option for us and him.”
Both Lama and MacMillian said they have experienced rent increases at Lincoln Pointe in the past, but never anything this significant. Lama expressed frustration about the timing of the notice.
“I don’t think it was necessary, especially before the holidays,” she said.
Housing agency, property manager and the state responds
Lincoln Pointe Lofts is listed as a partner on the Douglas County Housing Partnership website. Executive Director Maria Ciano said they are looking into whether the rent hikes comply with regulations governing affordable housing.
“We have no say in terms of how the property operates, but we are a special limited partner, so we do have a relationship with this group and went right to them to let them know about the concerns,” Ciano said.
A property manager for Lincoln Pointe, Afonso Silva, said the increases are allowed under current laws and are necessary to offset rising operational costs. Silva also noted that some tenants had not seen rent increases in years.
“We’re not trying to take advantage of anybody. Everything that we are doing within raising of the rents are within the law limits,” Silva said.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) sent a statement to 9NEWS indicating there are new rent increase caps for LIHTC properties like Lincoln Pointe that were outlined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier this year. However, there are circumstances when rent may rise beyond a 10% cap.
“In effect, this means that the maximum amount a resident may be charged may increase by no more than 10% each year. However, if a resident was previously paying rent that was below the maximum, that resident’s rent might increase by more than 10% at time of lease renewal under current program guidelines,” Matt Lynn with CHFA wrote in an email.
Lynn said the agency wants to hear from tenants at Lincoln Pointe through its hotline at 303-297-7442.
Tenants hope for change
MacMillian said she is hopeful the decision will be reversed, citing the stress it has caused for many residents.
“I would just like to see this turn around for people. I want people to not be in a panic,” she said. “Nobody deserves that. Nobody deserves to have their whole world shook up like that.”
If you have any information on this story or would like to send a news tip, you can contact jeremy@9news.com.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses the issue of rent increases in affordable housing, which is connected to the goal of eradicating poverty (SDG 1) by ensuring access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing for all. It also touches on the issue of affordable housing in the context of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
The article highlights the issue of rent increases in affordable housing, which directly relates to the target of ensuring access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing for all (SDG 11.1). It also touches on the issue of economic resources and financial services for the poor and vulnerable, as the tenants in the affordable housing complex rely on government housing programs to keep a roof over their heads (SDG 1.4).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure.
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but the issue of rent increases in affordable housing can be measured using indicators related to secure tenure rights to land (Indicator 1.4.2) and the proportion of urban population living in inadequate housing (Indicator 11.1.1).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
Source: 9news.com
