Wake County and Garner officials on Friday called on area landlords to help find housing for dozens of families being forced from an apartment complex in Garner because of a change in ownership.
The new owner of Forest Hills Apartments, on 7th Avenue, plans to renovate the property and won’t accept any form of housing assistance payments when the complex reopens. Individuals and families in all 136 apartments must move out by June 15.
Wake County leaders likened the situation to a natural disaster, noting that people are being forced from their homes just as if there had been a flood or a tornado. They asked landlords, churches and anyone else who is able to provide housing to step up and meet the need.
“These folks have done nothing wrong. They are good, rent-paying citizens, but because of the large number of citizens that are looking for affordable housing at one time, this has become extremely difficult,” said Sig Hutchinson, chairman of the county Board of Commissioners.
“There is a shortage of affordable housing in Wake County,” Hutchinson said. “We need more landlords to step up and accept tenants with rental assistance vouchers so that these families can be sure to have a roof over their heads on June 16.”