FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With rising inflation costs nationwide and in our region, most rental properties are increasing rent. Wedington Place Senior Apartments in Fayetteville is increasing rent by 50%, leaving residents to consider other housing alternatives.
"I have social security and a small retirement, but cover all of that," resident Lacretia Hall said. "Because of the rent being so high, I’m not going to have enough left for clothes and utilities and food and stuff like that."
This is the new reality for some residents living at the Wedington Place Senior Apartments. As of Aug. 6, residents were notified officially about the increased rent price.
Rosa Floyd’s parents live at the apartment complex. She said the complex comes with a lot of perks for her parents.
"There's a lot of benefits to living here that you can't really just get anywhere else," Floyd said. "They need a place that's accessible. They need a place where they can walk and exercise when the weather is bad, so having the hallways is a nice benefit that you don't get at just any other place. And it allows them a measure of independence. They have caregivers that come in during the day."
Floyd said they'll have to budget more because moving isn't an option for them.
"We had a conversation as a family that it would be best for them to keep living here, but they're going to have to tighten up in places like everyone would in a situation like that, and make some different decisions. I know that it's going to affect them," she said.
For a one-bedroom apartment, rent is usually $520. With the increase, it will cost $900. A two-bedroom unit rent was $750 and will now be $1,150. The increased price will go into effect depending on when the tenant’s lease is up.
Additionally, the complex will now only allow residents to lease for 6 months at a time. Wedington Place was recently sold to an out-of-state entity run by an agent in Little Rock with Ace Telluriede-AR, LLC. The LLC was registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office in April 2024. The registered agent for this LLC is J. Cliff McKinney.
The office manager of the complex said over half the residents living here pay privately, meaning they don't get assistance from Veteran Affairs or Housing and Urban Development.
"I just got housing," resident Deborah George said. "I was private pay till six months ago, so I lucked out ... My social security wouldn't even cover the rent increase."
Most residents in two bedrooms have thought about downgrading to a one-bedroom apartment.
"The place is full now," Hall said. "I thought about it before asking to move down the stairs so I wouldn't have to pay so much ... It just bothers me that all the people here, all these people, are in the same shape I am, some of them worse, and it's not fair that we have to pay that much money to live here."
To residents, Wedington Place isn't just a place to live, it's a community. But, if the rent keeps increasing, Hall said she'll have no choice but to move out.
"I would miss all of them because we're like a group," she said. "We help each other in times of stress or sickness. They're all there for you, so I would miss that."
Family members of the residents are planning an informational session on Aug. 15 at Wedington Place in the community room. Members of the Fayetteville Housing Task Force will be there to help provide resources.
"I’m grateful to be close to my parents. I’m grateful that we can see them every day, and we're not gonna let anything happen to them, but I know that there are a lot of people here who don't have family close by, or who just don't know what they're going to do," Floyd said. "It breaks my heart, not only for my parents, but for everyone in this building, and that's why we're trying to advocate for them with this meeting."
5NEWS reached out to the Little Rock agent but has not heard back.
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