ATLANTA — A Buckhead retirement community is banding together in hopes of stopping a non-profit from taking control of their housing.
National Church Residences, or NCR, is in the process of buying Cathedral Towers. Negative reviews of the non-profit have struck fear into current residents.
148 of the 192 residents living in the community signed a petition to stop NCR from taking over, showing their potential, new owners that it's not just a small group complaining.
A resident of almost two years, Lucy Baker, said Cathedral Towers residents are normally happy and loyal to each other. Energy took a turn with the announcement of the potential new management.
"If NCR comes, then I can't live there," Baker said.
Michelle Worsham used to live in an NCR-owned property. She moved into the Cathedral Towers four months ago.
"When you become a senior it’s supposed to be the prime of your life," Worsham said. "You're supposed to have a good time. You're supposed to be living and doing what you want to do."
She cried when heard the news of the possible new management. She now has access to a salon, garden, and library. Worsham said she couldn't pray the problems away before. She added tenants were playing music until 4 a.m.
"I was complaining every day about the noise," Worsham said. "I wasn't getting any sleep. I was about to lose my mind. You had prostitutes coming in."
Cathedral Towers residents started digging into NCR and the properties they owned. Residents heard rumors of murder, rape and other crimes at the properties. They fear the non-profit will bring security issues to the place they call home. Residents also heard rumblings of staff changes and pay cuts.
"They were going to take away the security," Worsham said. "They were going to get rid of our staff that has 20-plus years of experience. These people are making good money. You can't expect people to make minimum wage from where they come from."
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Dozens rallied Tuesday morning with the support of the Housing Justice League.
"That we may be heard and have a voice in deciding our future," Baker said.
The chairman of the resident's association told 11Alive that most residents are low-income with nowhere else to go. So, they get discounts, spending about 30% of their social security checks on rent.
"We're at the end of our life. It should be beautiful and also safe, but we have not heard anything good about the management company," Baker said.
A spokesperson for NCR released the following statement about the potential ownership:
"National Church Residences (NCR), a leading provider of senior living and affordable housing, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with The Cathedral of St. Philip to enhance the management of Cathedral Towers, a beloved community within our city. As part of this collaboration, we are committed to addressing staffing and security concerns and ensuring transparent communication with residents.
NCR recognizes the importance of having a dedicated and qualified staff to support the residents of Cathedral Towers. We are actively working with The Cathedral to ensure that the current team’s expertise is retained to maintain the high standards of care and service that the community deserves.
Safety and security are paramount at Cathedral Towers. NCR and The Cathedral of St. Philip are committed to maintaining security measures to provide residents with peace of mind.
Clear and open communication is vital during this transition. We understand the concerns some residents may have, and we are dedicated to keeping residents informed every step of the way. NCR held an information session and created Frequently Asked Questions documents to address concerns.
Beverly Burks, Regional Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations at NCR, states, “Our collaboration with The Cathedral of St. Philip is rooted in a shared commitment to the well-being of Cathedral Towers residents. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and are confident that it will result in an even stronger community.”
NCR and The Cathedral of St. Philip are grateful for the trust and support of Cathedral Towers residents and their families. We are dedicated to building upon the rich history of this community and creating a brighter future."
Residents said they aren't buying the new collaboration because they've heard little from the Tower's current owners. So, they're taking matters into their own hands to keep the conversation going.
"If they don't want to own our building anymore, let us help find someone or some way that they'll be happy and we'll be happy," Baker said.