Dozens of Burlington Vermont's poorest renters could get the boot from subsidized housing if their landlord (Pizzagalli Properties) sells a 37 unit apartment building to Champlain College to house students -or to the Highest Commerical Bidder.
Wharf Lane Apartments, is home to 44 people with annual incomes in the $12,000 range. Many are elderly or people with disabilities and have lived in the building for over 15 years.
This petition urges the owners of Wharf Lane Apartments to work cooperatively with Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Burlington Housing Authority, City of Burlington and other public and private interests to maintain the 37 apartments at 57 Maple Street in Burlington as affordable housing.
The residents of Wharf Lane
would
lose their homes in less than a year and be at risk of becoming homeless, because
there isn't any affordable housing available in the Burlington or surrounding city areas, with
waiting lists throughout the state for affordable housing are between 2-4 years.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL FACTS:
Pizzagalli Properties sent notice of not renewing affordable housing contract - merely three weeks after a major fire/flood within the building that the residents are still recovering from.
Wharf Lane disabled & elderly residents are at ‘serious risk’ of being homeless within 8 months time.
Affordable Housing waiting lists are 2-4 years throughout the state of Vermont and other major cities throughout the country.
RESIDENT FACTS:
Average resident has lived at Wharf Lane for 15 years
Average age of elderly residents is 70yrs
Majority of disabled residents are on SSDI (taxes they paid into our society) Average resident SSDI $700 a month
Majority of elderly residents have no surviving relatives or cannot afford a nursing home.
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Every signature counts, near or far - thoughts, concerns and voices can be heard on this Petition.
So please, help the residents save their building by signing this petition.
If you are interested in joining our Facebook Group to learn more about what the residents are doing, status updates, meeting /events and or wanting to volunteer some of your time to help, please contact:
- Ms. Newman at mynix28@gmail.com
Thank you .... for your time, consideration and support
Concerned Neighbor
We the undersigned urge the owners of Wharf Lane Apartments to work cooperatively with the Vermont housing Finance Agency, Burlington Housing Authority, City of Burlington and other public and private interest to maintain the 37 apartments at 57 Maple Street in Burlington as affordable housing. With over half of the Wharf Lane households headed by people with disabilities/elderly, the average yearly income is $12,555.
The residents of Whaf Lane would lose their homes and be at risk of becoming homeless because there is not any affordable housing available in Burlington or surrounding city areas.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
