Bolden Townhomes, located near the Oakland City MARTA station at the intersection of Island Terrace and Oakland Drive in Southwest Atlanta, is facing allegations of severe urban blight, evidenced by broken windows and burnt-out apartment units.
Residents gathered on Friday morning for a rally organized by the Housing Justice League, expressing their frustrations and highlighting the dire living conditions in the complex.
“There’s a lot going on here,” said Torrieanna Good, a resident of the Bolden Townhomes for just three months.
She described the complexities of her living situation, recalling a neighbor whose kitchen ceiling collapsed, with management failing to respond to tenant concerns.
Good stated, “We were paying our rent until the manager took off on us,” revealing the struggle residents face in securing basic living conditions.
According to data from Zumper.com, monthly rents at Bolden Townhomes range between $1,095 and $1,295, which remains lower than the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Metro Atlanta, currently pegged at $1,758 as per RentCafe.com.
Despite the lower rent prices, residents are grappling with a lack of basic necessities, including electricity and running water, with some apartments reportedly without these essentials for weeks.
Michael Stinchcomb, who has resided at the complex with his girlfriend for five months, expressed disbelief at the state of the apartments, stating, “I think it’s ugly and I think it’s illegal.
“If you’re going to put somebody out, you should go through the proper system,” he added, criticizing the management’s lack of action.
Stinchcomb recounted how he obtained a stove from an abandoned unit following a fire, revealing the disarray of maintenance at Bolden Townhomes.
“It’s the saddest thing I have ever seen,” he lamented.
Amber Williams, another resident, voiced similar concerns, pointing out issues such as mold and a leaking roof in the apartment she shares with her mother.
“We need somebody to do something and to take action,” Williams insisted, as the situation continues to hinder many living in the complex.
Lamar Strong moved to Bolden Townhomes from South Georgia three months ago and described the rapid deterioration of conditions since his arrival.
“In the beginning, everything was okay, but suddenly things started messing up,” said Strong, as he joined fellow residents in their fight for better living conditions.
Despite paying rents that can reach up to $1,200 per month, residents like Good, Williams, Stinchcomb, and Billy Dodd feel abandoned by property management.
A notice posted on the management office door by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Public Works acknowledges service violations.
However, attempts to engage management have been fruitless, as no one was present at the office on the day of the rally.
Frustrated residents report they have struggled to reach out with complaints or even pay their rent due to the inoperable online portal.
Montavious Vaughn, who held a sign proclaiming that “Housing is a human right,” highlighted the impact of the unlivable conditions on vulnerable community members.
“The kids and the older folks are the ones who are suffering the most,” Stinchcomb said, directing attention to those most affected by the ongoing issues.
Nearby, a little girl held a colorful sign stating, “Homes for All,” encapsulating the sentiment of the gathering.
As Bolden Townhomes residents voice their plight, the call for immediate action reverberates through the complex, signaling the urgent need for change and accountability.
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