Rowdy Place

This interview with E.B. highlights the trials and tribulations of an apartment complex's residents mass evicted in Starkville, Mississippi. Recently, these apartment buildings were sold to a different landlord who planned to remodel the entire complex. In order to do so, the landlord evicted the complex's residents.

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E.B. was born and raised in Starkville and has lived in town for most of her life. E.B. recalls the comfort in being surrounded by family as a kid, and the ability to go house-to-house between different relatives. The memories of community she values are that of security and safety. E.B. explains the dangers and problems of the apartment complex where she resided and recently got evicted from, as well as the unethical practices of the complex's landlord.

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E.B. describes the conditions of the apartment as very poor, including water quality problems, broken or missing appliances and fixtures, and insect infestations. She explains all the "patch work" that she had to do herself upon moving in. She also describes the noise pollution and the tense atmosphere on the apartment complex grounds.

 

She provides an insight into the nuances of evictions and housing insecurity in Starkville as a college town, including her concerns with the city budget spending priorities, rents, wages, (lack of) assistance, and housing conditions.

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You can listen to an excerpt of E.B's interview here: