North Charlotte Today

Redevelopment sometimes carries uncertainty, and the residents of Brookhill Village are no strangers to that. The latest management company said demolition of vacant homes will start in the near future.

It's a story residents have heard before, but they've never been so close to displacement, WBTV reported. With soaring rent costs in the city, many are wondering what they'll do for housing.

"A new company came in, so we're going to wait and see if they going to go by what they say," longtime resident Donald Jones told WBTV. "My dad said he's not going anywhere, he's been here over 40 to 50 something years, and he said he wants to make sure he lives to see it when they stick by what they're going to do."

They've seen other plans fizzle out, as the previous developer had also promised change was coming, WBTV reported. Brookhill Village residents have seen similar efforts across the city.

"We're the last ones on the map," Jones said. "They've done Double Oaks, village, Kingsway, Earle Village, Southside homes and Brookhill is the last ones on the maps. Due to the people that owned the property, that's where the problem came in at."

The 20 buildings slated for demolition include 72 living units, WBTV reported. Griffin Brothers Companies, which took over management recently, said demolition is its top priority. Its end goal is to build replacement affordable housing.

Many of the residents, however, can't afford to just pick up and move, rendering them stuck in their homes regardless of whether improvements to the community are made, WBTV reported.

"The cost of living is so high; we can't afford to go to these places," Jones said. "They've got buildings going around here, apartments going around here for $1,500 - $1,600 down payment, first month's rent, you can't get a house right now so the only thing we can do is stay where we're at now. That's what we can afford until things get situated."

With the uncertainty of Brookhill's fate and the cost of other places, few are in a hurry to take the leap, WBTV reported.

"We just waiting back to see where the pin is going to fall at," Jones said. "Hoping that everybody out here can be able to do what other people have done, got a new place and stuff, so we hope we can get a new place too."

Quore Real Estate Advisors told WBTV that no one will be displaced, but residents will find out more after meeting with developers this week.