A group of Yonkers tenants say they are worried their building management will force them out of their apartments.

Residents of the Waverly Street building say they are unsure of what to do and are terrified they are going to have to leave their homes.

They say the situation started about five years ago when someone sold the building. Residents claim they were not alerted to the sale and that their rent went up without their knowledge.

Many of the residents are said to be elderly and have lived in the building for decades.

Some told News 12 their rent doubled from $800 to $1,600.

Yonkers Councilwoman Tasha Diaz is rallying behind the residents. She says some of the residents didn't know about the rent hikes or didn't realize they had taken effect, so they now owe over $30,000 in back rent and can't afford to pay the steep bill.

Some residents say they are scared because they received letters threatening "judgments, warrants and the full extent of the law."

They also claim the whole process has been very confusing and they do not fully understand what happened, how it happened and how they have gotten to where they are now. They also were previously covered under HUD, and say they are confused if that is still the case.

HUD is a federal program that provides support and resources for affordable housing, community development and homelessness assistance programs.

Diaz says what they want is twofold.

First, they want Stonebridge Realty Management, which is the company they believe that owns the property based on letters they have received, to work with them on a solution so they will not be forced onto the street with nowhere to go.

They also want local politicians and government officials to come together with a solution. They say they have been trying to get answers and or help for years and have been passed around from person to person.

"We need to put a plan on the table. We can't just leave them out without anything. And then to say you owe $30,000 in back rent, that's a mortgage. I mean, that's what people pay yearly in taxes or what people make in their income. How do you think that people who are in an underprivileged area can give you $30,000?" Diaz says.

Some residents News 12 spoke with say they are just hoping to figure out a solution that keeps a roof over their heads. Others are heartbroken to leave their long-time home.

News 12 reached out to the building management but had not heard back as of Friday night.