Adela De Nava, 81, and her husband John, 89, have dark memories of being forced out of Chavez Ravine, the hillside neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles that was bulldozed and eventually became the site for Dodger Stadium.

More than 50 years later, the couple is again worried about being homeless.

A 6 percent rental hike is planned this year at Reflections on Yosemite, a 100-unit city-owned Eagle Rock senior building where the De Navas have lived for decades. The couple are part of a group of residents fighting the city over the rent hike, which they say could put people on the street.

The rent increase is double what the city has charged in some past years, confirmed Tina Smith-Booth, a director at Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. The city needs to keep with market rents in this eastside neighborhood, she said.

“We’ve worked hard to keep the building deeply affordable,” said Smith-Booth, noting the average rent for a one-bedroom unit at Reflections is $747.

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With Los Angeles facing a housing crisis and an alarming rate of homelessness, HACLA’s plan for a 6 percent rate hike at Reflections is sparking anger among tenants and putting the city on the defensive.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County attorney David Pallack, who is representing the tenants, argues the property is subject to rent-control laws, which generally cap annual rent increases at 3 percent.

His reading of the city’s law, however, differs from that of city officials. Both Smith-Booth and a representative at the city’s Housing and Community Investment Department said the building isn’t subject to rent control.

Either way, HACLA should keep annual increases at 3 percent, in line with rent control, Pallack argues.

“Their whole mission is to provide housing for low-income people,” Pallack said of HACLA. “Even if there is a loophole, they shouldn’t take advantage of it.”

HACLA provides the largest supply of quality affordable housing in Los Angeles, according to its website. The department manages tens of thousands of units and owns 109 properties, according to Smith-Booth. About half of those buildings are considered market rate, she said.

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Of Reflections’ 100 units, 80 apartments will get the 6 percent rent hike, she said. The other 20 units won’t get any rent increase because they have restricted rents for low-income residents.

Built in 1970, the three-story stucco building offers ample parking and a recreational center. But highlighting the changing neighborhood, a sleek, modern condominium building next door advertises a unit priced at $670,000. Area rents for one-bedrooms in Eagle Rock now hit $1,375, Smith-Booth said.

Despite the low rents, Reflections is considered market rate housing, she said. “The property doesn’t receive any federal or other assistance and therefore must operate on the rents it collects,” she said. “As with most landlords, rents are periodically increased to stay in line with increases in operating expenses. “

Reflections is marketed as housing for those 55 and older, and the building has residents who continue to hold jobs, Smith-Booth said.

Tenants, however, paint a different story. Many residents living in the 80 units are in their 70s, 80s and 90s. At least 10 percent of those living in the 80 apartments are mentally or physically disabled, they said.

Some renters got a letter earlier this year from John Stewart Company, which manages the building. The letter stated rents would be raised to $1,000 a month.

The city’s Smith-Booth said the $1,000 rent was a mistake and that all the 80 units would only see a 6 percent increase.

Da Nava said she spends $100 a month on medications and lives on a fixed income. Since the 6 percent rent announcement, she said she’s been unable to sleep because of the stress of figuring out her budget.

“You either pay the rent or die of hunger,” De Nava said.

Another tenant, Alex Ortega, 70, questioned why the city is raising rents as it also seeks billions of dollars from voters to fund homeless programs.

“Are the elderly going to be included?” Ortega asked of the new homeless programs. “If so, where will they be put? On the bottom of the list?”