Nearly 50 people gathered Friday in Carrboro to protest the new management of Collins Crossing Apartment Homes — the second protest in about two weeks against rising rent prices for some of the complex’s low-income residents.
Chanting “Aqui estamos! No nos vamos!,” protesters peacefully assembled to protest Aspen Square Management, the new owner of the 501 Jones Ferry Road apartment.
Former resident Angel Martinez said since the company took over the property in August, at least 10 families have been forced to leave due to inability to pay rent.
Some residents said they believe the rising rents are aimed at ridding the community of Hispanic residents through intentional gentrification.
Collins Crossing advertises some of its newly renovated two-bedroom apartments for $725 per month, a steep climb from the $525 a month rent that many residents say they pay.
Brenda Wishart, director of recruiting for Aspen Square Management, did not return calls for comment. In a previous interview with The Daily Tar Heel, she said some residents did face a one-time $25 rent increase, and Aspen Square has worked hard to communicate with residents.
But rising rent is just one of the challenges the complex’s low-income residents say they endure.
“There are cockroaches all over the place,” said Martinez. “You go to bed and you feel things biting you like ticks and fleas. You go to make something in the kitchen at night and you turn on the light, and there’s all these things running around.”
Martinez, a Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery employee, said he was kicked out of his apartment four months ago, even though he is a documented resident and always paid rent. He said the owners of Collins Crossing accused him and others of loitering outside apartments.
