I am writing out of concern for senior citizens and other vulnerable residents living in HUD-subsidized (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) housing in Asheville.
What began as advocacy on behalf of seniors has revealed a troubling pattern of overcharging, accounting discrepancies and a lack of meaningful oversight in properties receiving federal housing funds. During a period of informal research and documentation, we identified at least two senior residents in one complex who appear to have been overcharged by approximately $8,000 each. These are individuals living on fixed incomes who rely on HUD subsidies to remain housed. “We” refers to myself, several senior residents and a former property manager who helped verify billing practices during an informal review.
When seniors are overcharged at this scale, the harm is not abstract. It affects their ability to afford food, medication, transportation and basic stability. Seniors do not have the financial cushion or energy to untangle complex billing errors or challenge housing providers without assistance. Yet they are often expected to do exactly that…