Category: Asheville

Tenants at Evergreen Ridge Apartments are going public with concerns about the mold infestation and many other health and safety issues at the Asheville complex. The news coverage has published as tenant organizers with the Asheville Area Tenant Union have been knocking doors and making connections so that residents dealing with the conditions can join together to stand up for their rights and dignity.

Evergreen Ridge is one of several complexes in Western NC that now have visible mold infestation problems following Hurricane Helene and its devastating floodwaters. It is a particularly difficult problem in jurisdictions like Asheville, where housing code does not regulate mold.

Blue Ridge Public Radio published several interviews with Evergreen residents, including AATU member “Dana” (an alias to protect her from potential retaliation). Dana has been dealing with constant sinus congestion, one of many symptoms people can experience when they are regularly breathing in mold spores.The situation at Evergreen is made worse by unresponsive maintenance and amenities services, where residents have waited years for basic repairs, including for broken air conditioning and flooded carpets.

AATU has been growing ranks and focusing on places like Evergreen, which lures tenants in with below-market pricing and leaves them in nearly uninhabitable conditions. Landlords like these are benefiting from a housing crisis following storms like Helene, which took many residences out of the housing pool.The BPR article was published soon after the car fire incident at Evergreen Ridge which destroyed AATU lead organizer Jen Hampton’s vehicle and which itself followed attempts of intimidation by maintenance staff. Despite this tense environment, tenants are still making their situation known and increasing the public scrutiny on the health problems presented by Evergreen’s mismanagement. A public safety fund set up to support tenants organizing in Asheville is still collecting donations and has worked to replace damaged property for Jen Hampton.

On Saturday, October 11, while canvassing with residents at Evergreen Ridge Apartments in Asheville, the car of Asheville Area Tenants Union (AATU) Lead Organizer Jen Hampton was set on fire and completely destroyed. Jen was on site to support tenants who have been raising concerns about mold and other serious problems in the building.

The investigation is still underway, and not all details are known. But here is what we do know:

• During earlier canvassing efforts, a maintenance worker verbally threatened Jen and other volunteers. On October 4, he warned canvassers that the next time they saw him, it would be “in a black ski mask.”
• That same maintenance worker appeared to photograph Jen’s vehicle and was seen near the car on the day it was burned.

Incidents like this underscore why tenant organizing is so critical, and why communities must stand together against retaliation. Here are two ways you can take action right now:

1. Support Organizer Safety and Recovery

AATU has launched a fund to support safety and recovery for organizers who face harm while standing with tenants. The first priority is helping our organizer whose car was destroyed in what appears to be retaliation for tenant advocacy.
Please consider donating to help Jen recover.
→ Donate to Fund

2. Stand With Evergreen Ridge Tenants

Residents of Evergreen Ridge are calling on their landlord to sign a binding agreement protecting them from retaliation as they advocate for safe and healthy housing.
Add your name to the petition and show that tenants are not alone.
→ Sign Petition

Tenants need clear, enforceable protections—now more than ever—to ensure that organizing for safe living conditions is not met with intimidation or violence.

If you believe tenants should be able to speak up without fear, we invite you to become a recurring supporter of AATU’s work. Steady monthly support strengthens our ability to respond quickly to threats, provide emergency resources like temporary relocation or lock changes, and remain present with tenants for as long as it takes to secure their safety.

Together, we can ensure that every tenant has the power—and the protection—to demand the homes they deserve.