Affordable housing complex residents told they have 30 days to get out

DETROIT (WJBK) - People who depend on an affordable housing complex in Detroit are told they need to find another place to live.
    
Residents of Park Avenue House have been given 30 days to get out.

"When you got money why should you care about people who don't have money?" said Bobby, a long-time resident.

Residents are feeling discouraged and desperate.

"I paid my rent on Thursday I paid $880," said Kristina Thomason. "And on Saturday I'm being evicted."

About 180 people, many of them low-income, are living at downtown Detroit's Park Avenue are looking for a new place to live.

"November 5th. Got to move," said Bobby.

Residents living at Park Avenue, that's known as an affordable living option in the city receiving eviction notices last week, many, right after paying their rent given 30 days to move.

"I'm having a problem moving.," said Bobby. "Most places I can't afford."

"My income is limited and to put me out that fast," Vandarlyen Fish said. "It's possible I could be out on the street."

Neighbors say the building has been sold but Thursday, details are limited.

"We don't know when it was sold,” Bobby said. "It could've been sold two or three months ago."

FOX 2 contacted the building's owner for comment with no response.
 
"I think they should've done it more professional than this," said Lahone Sullivan. "They could have given us a warning but they didn't."

Many of the residents there live on a fixed income. Some are disabled and some seniors have lived there for decades. The neighbors understand, but wish they had more time.

"It's a lot to put on a person," said Thomason. "While they still have to go to work and everything, and have to move out everything we own in 30 days."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan visited with residents Thursday afternoon said he learned of the eviction letters just hours before.

"This is totally inexcusable behavior and it's not something we're going to accept in our city," Duggan said.

Duggan says he immediately reached out to the building's owner.
 
"The owner has not called me back and I believe we have somebody reaching out to the buyers," Duggan said.

Duggan says he's also reaching out to the well-known hotel chain associated with those buyers.

"I'm going to make it very unpleasant for people who come into this town and think they can treat long-time Detroiters this way," he said.

Duggan says he and the United Housing Coalition plan to meet with residents on Saturday to help facilitate moving and hopefully, give them some more time.