On this edition of “Closer Look,” Decaturish reporter Zoe Seiler discusses her reporting on the recent sale of a DeKalb County apartment complex that has left tenants scrambling for affordable housing.
At the beginning of August, Wellroot Family Services gave residents until Sept. 9 to vacate the property — only about 38 days. The 16-unit property at 750 East Lake Drive, which houses many residents who have resided on the property for several years, has changed ownership several times.
Wellroot, a faith-based nonprofit, specializes in areas such as foster care, transitional housing and family housing and is said to have plans to maintain the property as an affordable housing complex and repurpose the structure for young adults and families who use their services. Since the publishing of Seiler’s story for Decaturish, the nonprofit started accommodating requests for extended moveout times on a case-by-case basis.
Wellroot President and CEO Allison Ashe attributed the short evacuation period to an “internal communications error,” in correspondence with Seiler, who broke the story. The city and property residents were reportedly unaware of the impending break in the lease.
Residents of the property told Decaturish they are scrambling to find reasonably priced and available housing options on short notice and amid the ongoing housing affordability crisis.
