Winston-Salem City Council approves sale of apartment building despite opposition from tenants

Winston-Salem City Council approved the sale of an affordable housing complex Monday despite around 20 people, including the building's residents, gathering downtown to oppose it.

In November, council approved the city's purchase of a property at 800 North Spring Street. The eight-unit building was sold by Experiment in Self Reliance, or ESR, for $760,000.

Now, after a five to three vote, the property is being sold for $600,000 to private developers Jared Rogers and Ruskin Anderson.

Resident Gerick Walker has lived at the complex for five years. Before the council meeting, he said there hadn't been much communication with residents on the property's future, and he feels they are now being pushed out so others can benefit.

"I feel like we're getting a hush treatment or shoved off to the side so they can profit off of our building basically," Walker said. "Spring Street is a historic neighborhood and 800 North Spring Street is one of the last affordable housing units in that neighborhood."

As part of the sale, the buyers have agreed to maintain current rents for tenants through the end of 2025.