BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- A protest broke out in Boise on Saturday against the new owners of the Glenbrook Apartments, who are evicting residents because they want to refurbish units and raise rent for future tenants.The people who spoke with KBOI 2News at the rally all had the same opinion--they said what is happening at these apartments might not be illegal, but in their words, is immoral.
"It's just showing bad business ethics," said Belle Holsinger, one of the protesters. "They can do what they want with their property. But there will be consequences, there will be protests. People are not going to stand for a business that acts unfairly."
The company managing the apartments, Verity Property Management, is evicting the tenants of all 113 units so new owners can renovate the apartments in order to raise rent.
Another protester says the tightening supply of affordable housing in the Boise area is a growing problem, and the new property owners are showing no compassion.
"I don't need to be a millionaire," said Debbie Holmes. "Nor does anyone else. We just need to be able to you know, be able to feed our families. Just like these people need to feed their families. And we need to house our families."
Hardly any of the protesters actually live at Glenbrook Apartments, however, they say this does directly affect them.
"For instance, it affects my kids' school. A lot of these kids go to my kids' school and all Grace Jordan (Elementary School)," Holsinger said. "And Grace Jordan is going to be dealing with a lot right now with all of these moving out."
Many refugees happen to live in the apartments at Glenbrook, too. Holsinger says the reason they didn't want to protest outside the apartments is because they are afraid.
"A lot of them think they'll be arrested. You know they've gone through a lot of trauma already," she told KBOI 2News.
The offices of Verity Property Management were closed today and they were not available for comment.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlws8uepZuqn6S4bq3PrapmnaaesLW1zaBkq52jnrGmutOsZK2nXaeuqr%2FEZqmepqRivbO7056qrZ2iqHq0vMSaog%3D%3D