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UNLV student housing running low-income families out of homes

Posted at 7:14 PM, Jul 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-20 02:43:01-04

Lavish new apartments are coming to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, but it is coming at the expense of low-income families. 

The University Park apartments are transforming into Legacy LV, which is described in a brochure as "specifically designed for upperclassmen." Yet dozens of families currently live there. 

"I just feel like they're like 'hurry up just go, because once you leave we can start on this apartment and fix it up,'" said Christina Bailey, who has lived at University Park with her family for the last 6 years. 

Bailey is one of many residents who have received 30-day notices if they do not sign a new lease that would increase rent. 

"Almost $200 extra," Bailey said. 

Residents said aside from the increase in rent, they feel like management is pushing them out by not responding to maintenance requests. 

"The carpet, the sewers and  the pipes all smell so bad," said Taharida Rahman, who has lived at University Park for 7 years. 

The Nevada System of Higher Education bought the property in 2015 with the intention of turning it into student housing. 

The private company helping renovate the apartments, The Midby Companies, said they have been communicating plans with tenants for over a year and are working in accordance to the terms of their lease agreement. 

UNLV also sent 13 Action News this statement, saying in part: 
"More of our students than ever are calling campus home, and we're at capacity with the 1,800 beds currently available to students. The U District will add more than 750 beds for UNLV students when phase one is complete next year."
Bailey said she will be looking for a new apartment, but is expected to move out by the end of the month. 
 
"It's kind of just a smack in the face," Bailey said.