I’m complaining now

Posted on by Lindsey Simerly

Props to Rebecca Bowe and David Forbes for the article “Who’s Complaining Now” [March 11 Xpress]. The rental situation in Asheville is deplorable. In six years, [of the] 10 houses I have lived in, maybe one would pass the Minimum Housing Code inspection. Very few have had working heat other than space heaters. Others have had periods with no water. I have been flooded two times, had rats, and had decks that landlords have advised me not to use because of fears of their collapse. Because of the severe lack of somewhat affordable rentals and fears of rent hikes, I have often fixed plumbing, electrical or structural problems myself with my own money.

There is competition for safe and affordable housing that rivals major metropolitan areas. Landlords are able to start virtual bidding wars between prospective tenants, and we are fooling ourselves if we think discrimination in housing doesn’t happen because of this.

— Lindsey Simerly
Asheville

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2 thoughts on “I’m complaining now”

  1. speck1

    Lindsey,

    Please read my comments regarding the article you site and those of “CP”. That’s the opposition to any Minimum Housing Code for the City of Asheville! Only last night, the current slate of liberal and progressive council members were called upon to vote on yet another erosion of the current MHC- this time without any public notification or public review- that would exclude properties built after 1994 from any MHC requirements. Think I’m just blowing smoke about the lack of enforcement? Bruce Fields left the building safety department in 2006. How many MHC enforcement officers are on the current roster?

  2. sammule

    Lindsay,

    So move. Asheville doesn’t need first-wave gentrifiers anymore. The condos have been built. The lower class can now do the dirt work.

    Asheville can never again be “affordable”

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