Residents of Victoria Square apartments — who were previously told they would need to vacate by Sept. 30 — were informed Wednesday that they will be able to stay in their homes for an extra 31 days.
Sunset Property Solutions sent a vacate notice on July 19 that told residents they needed to move out by the end of September so the company could renovate. The residents now have until Oct. 31 to find alternate housing.
Residents in units that are part of a second phase of renovations were told they need to vacate by Jan. 31, 2023.
In the letter SPS Management sent Wednesday, residents were informed that they would receive $500 to help with moving expenses, a security deposit, or any other needs they may have.
The company also “guarantees” the return of tenants’ security deposits as long as their apartment is not damaged and they are out by Oct. 31.
The letter states that SPS Management has been having individual conversations to better understand each resident’s situation.
Neighborhood Foundation’s Executive Director Tom Guidugli confirmed he met with the company to discuss an extension for residents.
Guidugli said Neighborhood Foundations, the city’s housing authority, has been working with the 45 residents in Victoria Square who live on a federal housing subsidies to help meet their individual needs.
He said they are trying to figure out how to help everyone living in the apartments, not just those on Section 8, and their course of action to help residents will be released in about a week to 10 days.
Guidugli said they are opening up all of the city’s waiting lists for affordable housing units because some were closed. They are also giving priority to Newport residents.
Neighborhood Foundations was recently awarded a grant for emergency rental assistance to assist people with Section 8 vouchers.
The expenses this grant will go toward are:
- Security deposit assistance payments
- Utility deposit assistance payments
- Past due utility bills for balances that occurred after March 13, 2020
- Rental arrears preventing lease-up for balances after March 13, 2020
- Moving costs
- Application fees
Sunset Properties acquired the apartment community earlier this month and later announced plans for significant renovations forcing longtime tenants to move.
