Community leaders, organizations holding town hall meeting for displaced Crystal Lake Apartments’ residents

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – We have new developments about the 70 displaced Crystal Lake Apartments’ residents. Contractors hired by the complex are working on repairs. It’s day four and families still haven’t returned home.

A collective effort by organizations and the community helped raise money for 13 hotel rooms. They also raised enough money for security at the mid-rise and at the high-rise tower while residents are away.

“There’s definitely African-American people taking care of African-American people. Not saying there haven’t been other organizations, but there have been churches and basically, people who have given individual donations to help with this,” Kingdom Life Church Pastor Dominique Johnson said.

Sheknita Davis organized the rooms. She says the rooms hold more than 14 adults and 19 kids. The community helped raised almost $4,000. Ben Hubbard says there’s enough money for rooms through Wednesday. Churches and organizations are accepting donations so they can pay for rooms through Friday.

Hubbard says organizations are working to find other housing options for the residents.

“They definitely should not be penalized. We’re working on the legal side as well to see what options we have as far as getting some of that money back and getting those who are responsible make sure they’re held accountable,” Hubbard said.

41NBC News called the Crystal Lake Apartments and Crown Bay Management, who own the complex. Neither answered.

A town hall meeting takes place on February 12th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss finding other apartments for the residents. The meeting will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Chambers Road.

All of the displaced residents are encouraged to attend.