PRESS RELEASE
November 17, 2023
Contact: Debra Freeman, [email protected], 757-452-1143
Residents Hold Vigil Due to Unfair Practices at the Residences at Brookside
Richmond, Va. - On November 18, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., residents of the Residences at Brookside and New Virginia Majority (NVM) organizers will hold a vigil at their complex, located at 1404 Barriedale Road in Richmond. Residents are protesting the challenging living conditions because of the unfair practices by the apartment management.
Tenant maintenance requests have gone unanswered for months. NVM organizers spoke to one tenant whose air conditioning issues were resolved only after a city inspector pressured change from the management for his unit. Additionally, tenants are now required to pay for a mandatory internet service, whether they want to utilize the service or not.
“I've been living in Brookside for two years. My A/C got broken as soon as I moved in and days later, I started having leaking issues around my townhouse. I have a one year old baby and it's not fair to live in these conditions. The maintenance department is completely useless. I've been requesting a maintenance plan for months to fix several issues,” said Kevin Banegas, a tenant.
“Since the beginning of this year, I've been charged a $65 monthly fee for an internet service that is completely unnecessary because I live by myself and don't need it. I've spoken with several other neighbors who also think this is an unfair fee because most of them already have their own private internet service,” said María Cordoba, a tenant of 13 years.
NVM organizer Claudia Arevalo said, “This vigil is a union of all the voices that are tired of enduring so many housing injustices in Virginia. Communities heavily impacted by the housing crisis in Virginia are here fighting to avoid displacement due to massive rent increases, little interest from management to offer quality maintenance, and little transparency in monthly charges of public services. We are raising our voices to fight for affordable and safe housing for all tenants."
To speak with an NVM organizer or to speak with a resident, contact Debra Freeman at [email protected] or 757-452-1143.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable. For more information, visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @NewVAMajority.