More than 2 dozen Concord families face displacement after new owner wants to repair complex

Twenty eight families in Concord are facing displacement after the new owner of their apartment complex is asking them to vacate the property while repairs are being made.

The tenants went to City Hall for help Tuesday night. 

They say the problem is that the city does not have rent control or just cause evictions. And now, they're paying the price.

Families tell KTVU they don't know what to do. 

For seven years, Crystal Chandler and her 12-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, have called their two-bedroom apartment home in the Parkside Gardens complex in Concord. 

Now, she is among the families who have received a 60-day notice to vacate by the end of October 
Chandler says she has not been able to find any other housing that is affordable. 
　
"It's hard being a single mom even with a good job. It's overwhelming. I think about her all the time, making sure I can provide for her," said Chandler. 

The 32-year-old says she pays $1,200 a month in rent. She works as a dental assistant and sometimes takes on side jobs just to make ends meet.

She says her take-home pay of $2,600 a month disqualifies her from getting any government assistance.

"This has been a huge shocker. I don't have first month, last month plus deposit," said Chandler. 
　
She and other tenants asked city officials for help during Tuesday night's city council meeting. 
"At this point, I don't even know where I'm going to live," said Nancy Castillo as she spoke at the podium during public comment. She said she's lived at the complex for 22 years. 
　
PTLA is the Walnut Creek based real estate investment company that now owns the apartment complex. It's president Peter Wilson tells KTVU that it plans to spend $1.3 million dollars in repairs required by the city and renovations. 

In a written statement, Wilson said, " We are working with current residents by offering financial assistance for relocation and temporary housing." 

"We're just trying to work something out with the owner where tenants have the right to stay longer or to have more funds to be able to find another place to live," said Nicole Zapata with the East Bay Alliance for Sustainable Economy. The nonprofit is helping the displaced families negotiate with PTLA. 

PTLA said it is offering $3,000 for relocation and that it welcomes current tenants back when the renovations are completed by the first of January. 
But Chandler said she expects her monthly rent to increase by about $800. 
"I think we'll be pushed out of California, not just out of Concord,"said Chandler. 
　
She said she's already preparing to move out and may have to live out of her car for a short while. 
Chandler said she is speaking out to urge cities such as Concord that don't have rent control and just cause evictions to reconsider.

A spokeswoman for Concord said the mayor is working on holding a meeting with the tenants and the property owner in hopes of working out an agreement.