A non-profit developer is trying to calm concerns after residents spoke out about the agency's plan to buy the George Mews Apartments in Raleigh and turn them into affordable housing.

The agency, CASA, says it already has 39 buildings around Wake County and has had very few issues with them.

CASA is close to buying the 26-unit complex on Washington Street in Raleigh.

At a contentious meeting Wednesday night, apartment and neighborhood residents said they associate affordable housing with an increase in blight and crime.

"These concerns about just things running amuck and people being unchecked, they really are ungrounded," said Debra King, CASA CEO.

The George Mews Complex would be CASA's largest property if the deal goes through.

"We have some real concerns about the size and scale of this project and how this project is going to fit in our neighborhood," said Hilary White, who lives near the complex.

Current apartment residents expressed outrage that they'd be forced to leave the complex after their lease expires if they make more than the $31,000 income cap.

King says that amount is set by the City of Raleigh.

Funding for the project comes from the City, Wake County and the State. The City Council already approved its portion of funding last week.

Wake County Commissioners are set to take up the issue next week.

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker attended Wednesday's meeting along with two members of City Council.

"We've done about three dozen affordable housing projects over the last six or seven years and we haven't had complaints about any of them once they got in place," Meeker said.

But Thomas Morris, who lives right next to the complex, says he has a lot to complain about already.

Morris questions how the public was notified about the proposed purchase, with many residents saying they only found out in the last week or two.

"Why the ridiculously short notice? Because I wanted to see what the evidence was on similar projects," he said.