Residents at 340 and 360 Palisade avenues., a two-building complex containing at least 80 apartments, told News 12 Wednesday they've just begun receiving letters informing them of dramatic rental increases, with some rents nearly doubling.

Local, state and federal lawmakers were quick to push back.

"These astronomical increases point to the need for the state legislature to enact rent caps - possibly in this new session," said Sen. Herron Gaston, vice chair of the Senate Housing Committee.

A dozen residents, all requesting anonymity, sat down with News 12's Frank Recchia to address the situation.

"Our rent is going from $1,050 to $2,000, which is going to force us onto the street, making us homeless," said one tenant.

Another resident broke down in tears while discussing the change.

"Our rent is going from $950 to $1,400, and we are devastated because we don't know what we're going to do," said another renter.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Mayor Joe Ganim and City Councilwoman Jazmarie Melendez uniformly condemned the rent hikes.

"Some of these renters get federally funded Section 8, so we have to take a good look at these increases, which appear to be exorbitant," said Blumenthal.

Ganim encouraged tenants to file complaints with the Bridgeport Fair Rent Commission, which can step in and encourage mediation between tenants and landlords -- though it is not empowered to cap, or force landlords to adjust, rents.

The LLC that recently purchased the complex did not immediately respond to a request for comment.