By Jean Cole
jean@athensnews-courier.com
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One family displaced by last Sunday’s fire at Athens Village Apartments is desperately looking for a home or apartment to rent in the area.
Scott Robertson and his wife, Amanda, and four children, daughter Jordan, 16; son Matthew, 14; son Dallas, 9; and daughter Lily, 5, lost everything they owned on Aug. 29 when an early morning fire — sparked by a cigarette thrown on a patio chair outside another apartment — destroyed all eight units in Building D of the apartment complex at 1711 W. Elm St. in Athens.
“We’ve applied for a few houses but we need at least three bedrooms,” Scott said Friday. “We have found homes but they $700 to $750, which is too expensive for us. Right now, with the kids and everything else, it would be hard for us to do much more than $600.”
Scott said he does have enough money to pay the first month’s rent because he hadn’t yet paid the rent at Athens Village when they fire occurred. The family also received some donations, so they have enough for a deposit, he said.
Despite their loss of material goods, the family also still has its faith.
“We got faith it will work out the way it’s supposed to,” Scott said.
A cigarette thrown on an overstuffed patio chair outside one of the lower units is believed to have sparked the blaze, firefighters said.
The family had hoped to find another place at Athens Village following the fire.
Property manager Kathy Sims told The News Courier in an Aug. 31 story she was seeking donations to help the eight families displaced by the fire. Sims said the displaced residents of Athens Village were offered apartments elsewhere in Athens Village or at two other apartment complexes it owns — Athens Park and Athens Square.
It was later learned the Robertsons were not among those who obtained apartments.
The Robertsons had hoped to find another three-bedroom apartment at Athens Village but none was available. Their request for a three-bedroom unit at Athens Park or Athens Square also was rejected. Athens Park has no three-bedroom units, Sims said, and the family’s income exceeded the federal income limit set for Athens Square, she said. The news left the Robertsons dejected.
“We were told we do not qualify for any of their other apartments because we make too much money, so they told us there was nothing they could do for us,” Amanda said. “Also, we were told that the money being raised for the families is only for the families who are going to be staying in their apartments. My husband, our four children and I are desperately seeking a house to rent. If you have something or know of something, please contact me.”
You can reach the Robertsons at 256-497-1740 or through Amanda Leigh Goldman Robertson on facebook.
Sims said Friday she had raised only $60 in donations so far.
The Limestone County Chapter of the American Red Cross provided motel rooms for the displaced families, which included 22 people ranging in age from 14 months to 62 years, and gave them the means to buy clothes, shoes and food. However, all of the families lost everything they owned and needed permanent housing.
Scott said he asked an official at Athens Village for the return of his damage and pet deposits but was told that process could take up to 30 days, so the money is not immediately available to his family.
Sims confirmed the timetable.
“All the paper work has already gone into the home office and the money will be returned as soon as possible,” she said. “It has to go through the proper channels. They tell people 30 days, but it could be sooner. I am sure they will do it as soon as possible.”
