HADLEY — A U.S. Marines Corps veteran who served in the late 1950s, flying fixed-wing aircraft, Harold “Hal” Danielson lives at the senior housing portion of Woodland Crossing/ Vesta Apartment Homes off Route 9 near the Amherst town line.
How much longer he will be able to remain in his apartment at the 80-unit complex, though — after losing his wife in August, and receiving a notice that his tenancy may be terminated — is uncertain.
“As it is now, my rent is approximately 84% of my income, which is totally unacceptable,” Danielson said, speaking at a press conference in a community room at the 30 Greenleaves Drive building, Wednesday morning.
Even if he is able to continue living there, Danielson said he isn’t sure if he will be able to afford other necessities, like food and medicine.
“We should have a rent cap of at least 5% per year and there should be a rollback of the egregious amounts they’re hitting us with,” Danielson said.
Danielson is among those organized as the Windfield Senior Tenants Association, which has delivered a letter with a series of about a dozen demands to the property owner, Colony Hills Capital of Wilbraham. At the heart of their appeals are a three-year rent freeze and various improvements to their well being. Specifically, the association is asking for the right of first refusal to buy the property if it goes on the market, a 24-hour maintenance line and twice-weekly dumpster pickup.
Officials from Colony Hills didn’t immediately respond to messages left by the Gazette at its office.
The association became active over the summer, when tenants first received notices about sizable increases in their rents from Konover Residential LLC, of West Hartford, Connecticut, the management company. At that time, one couple’s rent went up by $245 per month, or 25%, from $985 to $1,230 per month, while others were also hit with jumps in excess of $100 per month.
The buildings at 30-32 Greenleaves Drive were built 25 years ago as Windfield Senior Estates, for people ages 62 and over. They were part of a development of housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, at a time when Hadley fell below the Chapter 40B requirement that at least 10% of housing stock be counted toward the state’s subsidized housing inventory.
Karol Burgos is communications coordinator for the association who describes herself as a retired grandmother looking for a place to relax in peace. Instead, she was thrust into the planning as a “dark shadow” came over their lives.
“We are committed to organizing and fighting for dignified housing,” Burgos said.
Burgos then turned the microphone over to Caroleann Austin, who read off the list of the demands, before organizers drove to Wilbraham to deliver their demands to Colonial Hills.
Along with seasonal decorations on the main table, several signs were displayed in the community room, including ones reading, “Keep Our Elders in Their Home” and “The Rent is Wicked High.” Then other tenants spoke.
“The stress of what’s been going on has destroyed community,” said Carmen Lee. “It’s been a battle, but we want to stay here, as much as possible.”
A three-year tenant and member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Deb Geary is married to a veteran and estimates that one-third of the senior tenants have military service. This meant there was disappointment when the property owner rejected a call to replace a tattered American flag at the entrance.
More importantly, Geary said, are the continued impacts of a sprinkler pipe that burst and displaced residents a few years ago, with black mold possibly permeating the apartments.
“Now we’re worried about air quality in the buildings,” Geary said.
Air conditioning malfunctioning and sewage backups are other alleged problems.
“Even with all this, I’m not angry at this place, I’m disappointed, I’m hurt,” Geary said. “All we want is safety, security and simplicity.”
The press conference was organized by Springfield No One Leaves, a grassroots, member-led community organization that helps people defend against displacement. Tyler Jones, a community organizer, explained that the residents fear being priced out and dealing with poor conditions.
While the regional entity is also helping tenants in Easthampton, the actions by the Hadley tenants has support from a local advocacy group, Hadley Neighbors for Affordable Housing, that formed when the residents first brought the matter to the attention of state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton, at a meeting at the Hadley Senior Center in July.
Those Hadley residents say their neighbors may be priced out of their homes at the same time maintenance is being diminished.
“These are my neighbors and my peers, and I don’t like what’s happening to them,” said Deborah Levenson, who has spearheaded the Hadley Neighbors’ effort.
Levenson said the two buildings housing seniors are part of the largest inventory of affordable housing in Hadley, with the other buildings reserved for families, and called on the larger community to offer support.
“We have to care because the corporate owners certainly don’t,” Levenson said.
