To the Journal editor:

I live in a senior living complex here in Marquette. This complex has units that are rent subsidized by MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) and HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Community Action Alger-Marquette owns the property, and KMG Prestige, Inc., manages it.

KMG Prestige is a multi-million dollar fee-based “for profit” management company.

An article to property owners by Revolution V — “Understanding property management states, “The smartest property managers will get as much of their revenue as possible from the tenants rather than from the property owners. This involves fees such as monthly admin fees, late fees, lease renewal fees, etc.

The more money a property manager collects from the tenants, the more they’re able to reduce your fees to keep your costs low. A property manager who collects little in tenant fees will have to charge much higher fees to the owner to make up the difference.”

So two years ago, KMG Prestige, Inc, which manages using this philosophy, raised our garage rent from $40 a month to $55. This 33% raise was supposed to be used for repairing or replacing garage roofs. Two years later, this has not been done.

Furthermore, as of January 5, 2024, we residents have new fees for key replacement ($10), garage door opener replacement ($35), and a lock out fee ($20 for after hours). Also, to rent our Community Center we now have to pay an additional $25 dollars a day that is not returned. The previous policy would cost $100 per day with the money refunded if we left the center clean and neat. Additionally, each year rent increases to the highest percentage rate allowed by HUD and MSHDA

Our most needed service, curb-side trash pickup, was eliminated two years ago, leaving some of our less-able residents to find alternatives. Some have hired others to do this for them. To reach the dumpsters, more able residents have to haul their trash a long distance.

These dumpsters were supposed to be opened each day from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; this has not happened, so on snowy days, it is impossible for some of us to lift that heavy lid. When we tried to explain that icy conditions prevail in the U.P., putting us at a risk of falling, we were told, “Don’t go out in inclement weather” and “Move to assisted living.”

There are 151 units at my complex that are home to senior citizens. We’ve raised families, held jobs, and paid taxes all our lives. Now we are using our pensions and Social Security income to make a fee-based management company as well as the property owner richer.

Why would the owner of a senior living complex be so heartless as to inflict such a management company on its residents?

This is just wrong.