Villages of Woodland Springs Homeowners Association

Neighbors Concerned About Low-Income Housing Plans

Jun 28, 2006

(CBS 11 News)
FORT WORTH Some north Fort Worth residents say they're upset about their new neighbors. People living in the Arcadia Park area are fighting a new low-income apartment complex being built in their neighborhood.

Homeowners say they are concerned about the residents who will be allowed to move into the complex and the affect the low-income apartments will have on their property values.

John Johnson has lived in the Arcadia Park area for three years and he says he does not want low-income housing close by.

?“We don?’t feel very comfortable about it, ya know, ?‘cause with low-income housing unfortunately you have that bad element sometimes that?’s associated with that.?”

The 15-acre apartment complex for low-income families will go up in back of an Arcadia Park neighborhood. It will consist of 192 units.

?“It?’s gonna bring the value down on our house and it?’s just gonna be, I think it?’s gonna be awful. It?’ll be o.k. for probably the first year,?” said Erika Erlinger, Arcadia Park homeowner.

Project developer Mark Wolcott says prospective tenants will have to have to go through a credit and criminal background check.

In a statement supporting the project Wolcott said, in part, "Riverside Villas is currently going through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs approval process, which included a unanimous vote from its board this morning to go forward with the first step of the bond financing."

Arcadia Park residents say they are frustrated with the lack of communication between homeowners and the developer.

?“I mean the only communication we?’ve seen is the sign,?” said resident, Joseph Butler.

Many residents say if the complex is built they plan to move.

The developer anticipates starting construction in the fall. He says from then, it would be at least a year before the project is complete.