COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Renters in Colorado Springs are squeezing their budgets because of rent increases, affecting some people who live in affordable housing.
"It's frightening. It's very frightening," Jana Alexander said.
Alexander says there were multiple nights of sleeping with concerns over seeing another letter at her front door.
"The notice of change. They stick it on your door," Alexander said.
When Alexander learned about affordable housing units at the Copper Range Apartment, she took it. However, rent increases were something she did not expect.
"I think I was here for a year and a half. They raised 185 dollars, almost two hundred dollars. I just went, what?" Alexander said.
Alexander said that after three years of living at the Copper Range Apartment, her monthly rent is now over three hundred dollars more. She says it's a major challenge to overcome when she's on a fixed income.
After multiple attempts to figure out why her rent went up, Alexander says she failed to get the answers.
A local affordable housing advocate organization, Pikes Peak Housing Network, explains why rent increases are happening, even in affordable housing.
"I think when it comes to affordable housing, the provider is doing everything they can to ensure those costs don't rise in a significant way," said Jill Gaebler, Executive Director with Pikes Peak Housing Network. "But they are passing along their costs as they do need to. Inflation is impacting everyone."
New5 reached out to the property management company that oversees the Copper Range Apartment.
The FPI Management said in an email that Copper Range Apartment is a Tax Credit community. Its income and rent limits are determined by The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the state of Colorado.
According to the email, the company states that based on current market conditions, the rent for households was adjusted to the 60% Area Median Income (AMI), adding that it's essential to maintain the operations and quality of services at the apartment complex.
The property management company says it understands the challenges faced by some residents on fixed incomes. However, it says the rent is determined by program and market factors, not individual household incomes.
Residents who may struggle with rent increases are asked to contact the management office at the Copper Range Apartment.
Alexander says her biggest concern is that she might be homeless again.
"It's terrifying," Alexander said.
*** News5 will continue to cover the housing crisis in Colorado Springs and wants to hear from community members who may also face similar challenges. Email Peter Choi at peter.choi@koaa.com.
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