The effort continues to secure housing for Western Manor tenants

SOUTH BEND, Ind – There continues to be a significant effort to secure housing for Western Manor tenants in South Bend.

On Thursday evening South Bend Councilman Oliver Davis, the Western Manor Tenant Association, University of Notre Dame Law Professor Judy Fox, and people in the community met at the Western Branch Public Library to discuss housing for the concerned tenants.

“At 81-years-old to have to move is something when I thought I was going to be there forever,” Western Manor resident Ruth Walker said.

As ABC57 has reported Western Manor which is owned by Premier Management is seeking to raise rent by over 40 percent.

Tenants said they continue to deal with issues of mold, lead based paint and other issues that have gone unresolved.

Local charities and organizations are helping people who want to move but the struggle to work with management for residents who would like to stay is still present.

“The apartment complex was threatening to evict people who had leases for not paying the higher rent and you can’t do that they have to honor the lease,” University of Notre Dame Law Professor Judy Fox said.

Last month Mayor Pete Buttigieg issued a statement that said this issue is a crisis.

“The underlying issue here is that the laws in Indiana are really horrible for tenants and it’s an economic problem for the whole community,” Fox said.