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Autumn Heights residents tell council of alleged retaliation, illegal entries and favoritism
Summary
Multiple residents of Autumn Heights told the council they face retaliation, inconsistent rules, alleged unlawful apartment entries and favoritism by property office staff; councilors advised first raising the issues with the housing board and Low Rent Housing Commission and offered follow-up contacts.
Residents of Autumn Heights addressed the Burlington City Council on July 20 with allegations of retaliatory eviction threats, inconsistent enforcement of rules, unlawful entries into units and favoritism by on-site staff.
At the lectern, a resident said tenants fear speaking up because of a "highly credible fear of retaliatory eviction" and accused several office staff of entering apartments without permission and sharing tenant information. "We've caught them illegally coming into apartments," the resident said, and asked the council either to pursue resignations or require corrective action and consistent rule application.
Council members and staff responded by advising the residents to first seek a hearing with the applicable housing board and the Low Rent Housing Commission and offered to provide contact information after the meeting. City staff noted there are federal and local procedures available and that the city could provide information on appropriate next steps and contacts for follow-up.
Status: Council listened, offered procedural guidance and contact points, but took no formal action at the meeting. Residents said they had signatures supporting their claims; staff offered to speak with them after the meeting.
