The Crystal Towers United tenant association has formally submitted a demand letter to its landlord, ASPIRE, calling for binding, legally enforceable protections for residents in the event of any sale or redevelopment of the Crystal Towers public housing complex. More than half of all Crystal Towers households have signed on to the letter, reflecting widespread opposition to displacement and housing instability.
Because ASPIRE has failed to commit to tenant protections, Crystal Towers United organized a press event on February 20 in which residents detailed the history of ASPIRE’s negligence and the dangers in fast-tracking a sale that could displace dozens of low-income residents.
ASPIRE, formerly the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, has been exploring the sale of Crystal Towers into private ownership. Tenants warn that without firm commitments, a sale could impact dozens of residents who rely on affordable rent and stable housing.
“This is my home and I don’t want anything to change,” said resident Lisa Carroll. “I like that I can afford my rent. I don’t want to be on the streets. It can mess with your mental and physical health.”
Tenants report that while exploring a sale, ASPIRE has overseen months of intimidation and disruption of tenant organizing, including efforts to dissolve a democratically elected tenant council and restricting access to common spaces needed for residents to communicate and advocate for themselves.
“Management got what they wanted,” noted resident Douglas Summers. “Now they have a group of people that won’t hold them accountable.”
In their demand letter, tenants make clear that any sale or redevelopment of Crystal Towers must proceed only if residents are fully protected. Their demands include:
- No increase in housing costs, with utilities and fees remaining included in rent
- A guaranteed right for every resident to return to Crystal Towers after redevelopment
- Comprehensive moving assistance, with additional support for disabled residents
- A guarantee that no resident is moved without a confirmed, safe place to live
- A transparent relocation process overseen by residents, with binding agreements to prevent displacement
- A commitment to rebuild Crystal Towers with the same number and size of affordable units
- Maintenance of safe, habitable living conditions up until the final resident relocation
- Full resident education, engagement, and oversight throughout the sale and redevelopment process, free from intimidation
To ensure these protections are enforceable, tenants are demanding that the tenant association be included as a party in any contract between ASPIRE and a prospective developer.”I feel as though ASPIRE does not care about the residents in Crystal Towers,” said resident Denise York. “They have not put forth the effort to come and sit down, and actually tell us from beginning to end what’s going on with the sale of the building. Nor have they done anything in the three years that I have been here for any repairs. No one from ASPIRE is telling us what’s going on.”
Friday’s CTU press event shared resident stories and once again publicly called on ASPIRE, city officials, and community stakeholders to respect tenants’ rights and ensure that redevelopment, if it occurs, strengthens affordable housing rather than erasing it.
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