A Jacksonville renter says her “affordable” apartment turned into a legal and financial nightmare after she tried to pay rent and then learned days later that she’d been evicted, a case housing advocates say reflects a broader trend worsening the city’s affordability crisis.

Bekah Apple signed a lease at AVIA Lofts at Liberty Ridge for a studio on Dec. 31, drawn by the price of $899 a month and a pet-friendly policy.

“My first month was great,” Apple said of her Southside apartment. “I told all of my friends about this place. I’m like, this is affordable. I feel safe.”

Within weeks, she said, the problems started: surprise notices to vacate, unanswered calls to the property manager and maintenance issues that went unaddressed.

The first notice to vacate came in April after she says the

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