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Things Get Heated After Potential Low-Income Renters Line Up Overnight, Turned Away

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- People desperate for affordable housing spent hours and endured traffic jams to apply for new apartments, only to be told to go home because the company wasn't prepared to accommodate that many people.

Housing prices in Denver hit an all-time in November 2015, up nearly 11 percent from November 2014. Zillow predicts Denver will be the hottest real estate market in the U.S. this year.

That means there is fierce competition for every affordable housing unit like the ones set to open in Aurora near Tower Road and 56th, The Meadows at Dunkirk. The units were promoted as "affordable luxury you deserve.

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The Meadows are scheduled to be move-in ready in mid-February. Some people lined up on Monday night to be among the first to apply for the limited space at the apartment complex. The apartments include one, two and three bedroom, low-income, Section 8 apartments.

More than 100 people were ready to submit their applications on Tuesday morning, but no one ever showed up to accept applications. People didn't let the large crowds deter them until the management for The Meadows told them that no applications would be accepted. No one was happy.

"Why the heck would you say first come, first served when you already know people are out there and they have no place to live?" asked one prospective renter.

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(credit: CBS)

"I've been here since 6:42 p.m. yesterday and we waited until we got all the way up there and then they told us to turn around," said another woman.

The management initially told people they would start accepting applications at 10 a.m. Tuesday but now will only take applications for the apartments by email or by fax. The company said that was posted to maintain safety and efficiency.

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Police officers from both Denver and Aurora were called for crowd control to reduce the possibility of fights breaking out. There were no arrests.

"I think it was discrimination, there was nobody out here doing anything until the police came," said potential renter Evette Mitchell.

The Meadows at Dunkirk management company sent CBS4 the following statement:

On behalf Of Pedcor Management Corporation:

Due to the cancellation of the in-person intake at The Meadows at Dunkirk Apartment Homes, our business office will not be opened to the public until further notice. The turnout was impressive, but to ensure that the process can be handled safely and efficiently, we ask that our applicants call the following number 720-499-0767 and listen to the pre-recorded message.

We would like to thank the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Housing Authority and we look forward to a continued partnership with the Aurora business community.

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