Savannah senior housing complex under fire for maintenance issues, rising rents

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Residents and city leaders are expressing growing concerns over conditions at Romana Riley Lofts, a senior affordable housing complex. Dozens of residents say they are struggling with broken appliances, unsafe living conditions and rising rents while management fails to address their complaints.

More than 60 seniors live in the building, where residents report dealing with issues including non-functioning dishwashers, stoves and dryers, lack of heat and broken refrigerators for months at a time.

“My dishwasher does not work. It pours water out on the floor, and I fell two times. For 10 months, I didn’t have a dryer,” said Jenovis Randall, a resident.

City Aldermen Dietrich Leggett and Linda Wilder-Bryan visited the complex Tuesday after receiving what they described as a flood of calls from both residents and family members of those living there. Many seniors are hesitant to speak publicly about conditions, fearing retaliation or loss of housing.

Residents pay approximately $1,000 per month in rent, a figure that continues to increase annually, according to accounts shared with WTOC and city officials.

“The issue right now is management isn’t being responsive. The only thing they are asking for is more and more rent,” said Leggett, who represents District 2.

Wilder-Bryan, representing District 3, called the situation “egregious,” noting the vulnerability of the residents.

“These older people, our elder babies, they are infirmed. Some don’t have heat. Some don’t have a refrigerator. And it is just a big inconvenience,” she said.

City officials said they are pushing for accountability from management and warned that ongoing issues could influence future development decisions involving the property owner.

WTOC News reached out to Fairway Management, the management company for Romana Riley Lofts, for comment but has not yet received a response.