HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Last week, News 19 reported on the Monrovia Flats apartments, where tenants said mold and moisture inside their apartments were making them sick.
News 19 has learned some repairs have been made to the Huntsville apartments, but residents say the fixes may not go far enough
In News 19’s visits to Monrovia Flats, tenants told us mold and moisture were spreading through their apartments — and they feared it was making them sick. Our story aired on Aug. 14. Since then, one of the tenants we spoke with says maintenance crews have begun working on her unit.
She tells News 19 the main problem area was addressed, but smaller mold spots appeared to be painted over instead of fully removed.
News 19 reached out again this week to Elmington Property Management, the corporate office over Monrovia Flats. They did not respond to emails and voicemails last week. On Monday, a spokesman did respond to News 19 and said they were working on a statement. News 19 has not received that statement.
The tenants we spoke to asked not to be shown on camera or identified, for fear of retaliation or eviction. The tenants we spoke to are using rental assistance housing vouchers from the Huntsville Housing Authority to help pay their rent.
We asked Antonio McGinnis, director of the Huntsville Housing Authority, about the problems these residents have faced. He told News 19 that while the authority issues vouchers, they don’t have control over how private apartment owners handle maintenance.
“So, the voucher program gives an opportunity for a resident to choose where they want to live,” McGinnis said. “If they’re living in a neighborhood that’s not necessarily a public housing facility, they go right to the property manager and see if they can get all the issues resolved.”
McGinnis said their ability to help residents is limited.
“Now … we try to intervene when we can, but since we don’t manage and operate those facilities, we don’t necessarily have a say,” the Huntsville Housing Authority director said. “So — what if a resident is not pleased … then the person can move out if that becomes a problem.”
He did tell News 19 residents concerns are being heard.
“One of the things that I really want to improve is that the safety and well-being of our residents is really a top priority for me,” he said. “I want to make sure that they know that they’re listened to and we get to resolve it as soon as possible.”
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