Readers wrote in regarding my column of two weeks ago, which
reported on the rent increases at Village Green, a community for
seniors 62 and older, located near the entrance to Hecker Pass
Highway. The column highlighted the plight of Ms. Carie, a senior
who had been persuaded to move into Village Green based on
management’s promise that it was low income housing for seniors
– and that the rent would never increase more than the rate of
her pension – yet her rent has suddenly increased by $200 per month
in a letter which referred to the increase as a
”
modification of terms.
”
Readers wrote in regarding my column of two weeks ago, which reported on the rent increases at Village Green, a community for seniors 62 and older, located near the entrance to Hecker Pass Highway. The column highlighted the plight of Ms. Carie, a senior who had been persuaded to move into Village Green based on management’s promise that it was low income housing for seniors – and that the rent would never increase more than the rate of her pension – yet her rent has suddenly increased by $200 per month in a letter which referred to the increase as a “modification of terms.”
One Village Green renter wrote this: “Dear Kat, I read your article. I also live in Town Square at Village Green. This happened to me last year. I just assumed this was the way it was supposed to be. I was shocked that this happened to someone else where I live. I would like to really have someone look into this. I don’t know where to go and talk to someone about this. I found out there are a lot of other people that are in the same boat as Ms. Carie and myself. We have been paying the maximum for a two bedroom for over a year now. We were told that our rent would go up according to what we get in S.S. and other income. My rent is going up faster than my S.S. and other income. Add to that the increase in gas, groceries, and something that us old people need: medication for what ails us. It is getting so that there is nowhere seniors can live on the income we have worked for our entire lives.
*Thank You, Mr. Nobody (That’s the way I feel anyway).
Lenore Schneider, a Village Green tenant since 2003, wrote in about her experience: “I just finished reading your article about a senior tenant at Village Green having her rent increased $200 per month and I’m appalled, but not surprised. I’ve lived at Village Green since it opened and the complex was advertised then as a low-income community. It has changed to a “moderate” income complex (so says the management). How that happened, I do not understand. I’ve known many residents whose rent went up significantly and they just went out and found another apartment and moved. Most seniors do not challenge authority and are intimidated by management and won’t fight back. I applaud Ms. Carie for going to the press to bring this situation to light. One last item: I had received ‘Renter Assistance Refunds’ since I moved here and this year, my claim (and other tenants’ claims) were rejected, something about Village Green not paying the taxes. Could you investigate this, as I cannot seem to get this resolved with phone calls.”
*Marilyn Roaf, Gilroy’s Housing and Community Development Grant Coordinator, explained that while there is no city-wide rent control (with the exception of mobile homes), Village Green can’t charge more than 50 percent of the county median income level. Village Investments, the company collecting rent for Village Green, says that “our increases are not based on any given percentage, but on the existing market value of each apartment.” Management there has had a difficult time finding enough seniors to occupy their rental units at 100 percent and has even tried to lower the age minimum for senior residents. Roaf tells me that because Village Green did receive federal tax credit, they must submit proof of annual compliance with the county cap for median income rental. A state committee keeps track. “Under current guidelines, Village Green can’t charge over $1,193 per month,” Roaf said.
City councilman Bob Dillon tells me he is looking into the situation and made the observation of Village Green management, “I hate to say this, but I have a sneaking suspicion what they’re doing is legal, if not moral. We’ll see.”
