Refugees are living in apartments with a broken heater, a broken fridge, a broken stove, broken plumbing and repeated break-ins.
And no, it isn’t in another part of the world. It’s right here in Akron.
Seven refugees living in the Towers at Summit Ridge apartment complex turned to the courts late last month to put their rent in escrow until repairs are made to their units. Pablo Paredes, who fled Ecuador in 2024, told our reporters earlier this week that living at Summit Ridge is like “living in a third world country.”
Talk about a gut punch.
After showing so much effort, so much bravery, refugees who have resettled in Akron are once again stuck in an environment they’re desperate to escape.
Another tenant, Jheymi Rodriguez-Cruz, a 28-year-old new mother from Nicaragua, says she fears for the safety of herself and her 2-month-old daughter, Cheymi. She describes people knocking on her door and attempting to break in.
It’s unlikely this is what immigrants were imagining when they learned Akron is a “welcoming community.”
The International Institute helped these immigrants find their apartments at Summit Ridge when conditions there were better, said Daniel Torma, director of resettlement and social services for the organization. It’s now working to find them new homes.
The city is doing what it can to make things right, too, working with landlords to resolve issues in a timely manner.
Still, I can’t help but feel we must do more if we want to live up to our promise of being welcoming.
Rodriguez-Cruz’s story reminds me of that of Amaya Phelps, whom we previously reported lived at Spring Hill Apartments.
Phelps detailed her struggle at the troubled complex, where she lives with her 4-year-old son in an apartment crawling with mold.
Two mothers from two different backgrounds, both doing what they can to make a better life for their children, yet significantly hindered by their living conditions.
As attorney Lynn Clark told us, Akron’s housing problems revolve around both affordability and quality. In the case of Summit Ridge, one- to three-bedroom apartments cost $810 to $1,200 per month. This is certainly enough to expect at least basic facilities to be maintained, though no one deserves to live where those are neglected, no matter how much they’re paying.
City leaders are stuck in a tough situation. But perhaps being a welcoming community should mean being less welcoming and instead more discerning of property managers and landlords who want to rent to tenants in our city.
While the city understandably wants to encourage development, it has to be balanced by those who want to provide quality housing, especially as we try to encourage more people to take up residence here.
Refugees are among the most vulnerable people we welcome here, having already endured instability and loss. When the place they arrive to is unsafe or unlivable, the promise of a fresh start falls flat.
To me, a welcoming city looks like one that not only invites residents in, but also one that helps keep them safe, clothed and fed. In this regard, we have a long way to go.
Are you experiencing similar living conditions? Have other thoughts to share? Email me at tbennett@usatodayco.com, and make sure to sign up for our opinion newsletter, The Middle Ground.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How can we be a ‘welcoming community’ when housing is this bad? | Opinion
Reporting by Theresa Bennett, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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