VALLEJO — A Vallejo landlord told KCBS Radio that he proposed doubling tenants' rent after city officials said there were "too many" affordable apartments in the city.
Residents of the 64-unit Strawberry Hill complex were floored when they learned that their rents would jump this summer.
"I'm so stressed," said Lorna Flora, a single mother of three who recently was told she would have to pay $1,700 a month for the one-bedroom unit that had cost $800. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
For now, her landlord Reliant, has said it's delaying the increases after meeting Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan on Monday.
But Reliant Vice President Jason Snyder pointed the finger at Vallejo officials for creating the difficult situation for tenants. Snyder told KCBS Radio that the company was turned down a year ago when they approached the city about converting the seven-building complex to affordable housing.
"City of Vallejo indicated to us at that time that they felt they had too many affordable housing units in the city," said Snyder.
After getting rebuffed, the company opted to charge market rate for the apartments, Snyder said.
Strawberry Hill residents could relocate to Reliants other affordable complexes around the Bay Area, Snyder suggested. "The city may have housing choice vouchers that they can use to assist the existing residents which would help offset their rents," he said.
