Raleigh apartment complex closure forces residents to move
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Palms Apartments in western Raleigh is a complex that could clearly use some work, but it's convenient for tenants like Kenneth Hayes who can walk to work in five minutes.
"The hospital's right here. You have a shopping center very close. People in this area are very friendly," Hayes explained.
His rent is affordable too - just $650 - and Hayes said budgeting for any more would be hard on his income.
But property owner Gordon Grubb says renovating the property would be too expensive. He's planning to tear it down and start over. But the new rents will be much higher - averaging around $1,000 a month.
Current tenants qualify for relocation checks of $250 if they move by the end of November. So they're packing.
"The dishes, the bedroom, and everything - my life now is changing. I'm confused!" said Morhaf Lahassani.
Lahassani likes living in the complex and his child attends a school nearby. He's found another apartment, but it will cost him $200-300 more than his current rent.
That's a lot of money for Izaya Jacques - an engineering student at NC State with a wife and child.
"My wife works at McDonalds. She's a manager there. I'm currently working at Shuckers. They just opened. I'm excited to be in the kitchen there," he said.
Jacques said he wants an opportunity to speak with the owner about the challenge of relocation on short notice when your rental record's not perfect.
Grubb is trying to help by refunding security deposits prior to tenants vacating their apartments if they can provide proof that they have obtained alternate housing - which should help residents with the deposits required at their new housing.
He's also organizing a housing fair with similarly-priced housing communities on Thursday.
