TOLEDO, Ohio — Call 11 for Action has an update on what residents are calling "inhumane" conditions at Toledo apartment complex Covenant House on North Erie Street.
They're asking for help with the roaches, bed bugs and broken toilets, but feel they're getting nowhere.
Call 11 for Action went to Vanice Williams, the city councilperson representing District 4 on Friday, and showed her what we found, including a video provided by the family of Mae Howard, a former resident who suffered a stroke in October.
Her son, Lonnell Jones, and mother, Linda Howard, believe the stress over her living conditions led to her stroke.
In the video, Mae said, "I have to use the bathroom in my tub. I have to urinate in my tub."
Williams said what she saw in the video is "sick."
"This is supposed to be a place that's safe, clean and livable, so I'm ready to get my foot in this, talk to any residents, get them together," she said.
Several residents told Call 11 for Action that their complaints have also fallen on deaf ears.
"There's roaches, bed bugs, terrible things," said Robert Valdez, who has lived at Covenant House for just over a year.
"The government, I guess they pay some of the money, the rent, and when we go tell them about some of the problems, they're saying, 'We don't have the money,'" said Willie Barber who has lived there for 20 years and said he is in the process of moving because of the conditions.
In a statement provided to Call 11 for Action, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said, "In fiscal year 2023, HUD provided $1,120,712 in project-based rental assistance payments to the owner of the property."
The property is owned by The Millennia Companies, a company based out of Cleveland, that according to its website was founded in 1995 and operates more than 280 developments in 26 states, housing more than 86,000 people.
HUD also told Call 11 for Action, "As described, the conditions you've relayed to us in your email sound as though they would not meet our standards."
Williams said she will be talking to residents and calling Toledo code enforcement and HUD because, she said, everyone, including those with low incomes, deserves a safe and clean home.
"You are not helping the people that you're saying you're going to help and you're getting paid for it. You're not doing it for free. It's not like somebody's asking you to volunteer to help these people," Williams said. "We are asking you to do what you say you're going to do in your contract. It's a contract, a legal binding contract and they have to be held accountable, and if I got to do it, I have no problem doing it. I'll hold you accountable."
The number for the Fair Housing Center in Toledo is 419-243-6163.
HUD also told Call 11 for Action that residents can contact HUD's Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at 1-800-MULTI-70 (1-800-685-8470) and HUD will make sure that the property owner is adhering to obligations under its contract with HUD.
A previous statement from The Millennia Companies that was provided on Nov. 28:
The Millennia Companies care deeply about the health and well-being of its residents. We are saddened to hear of Ms. Howard’s health issues and wish her a quick recovery.
While we have immense sympathy for her situation, unfortunately, the facts shared are inaccurate. A review of records related to Ms. Howard’s unit shows that in August 2023, the current management team became aware that the toilet in her unit was not functioning. This matter was promptly addressed, and our records show that repairs were made on or around August 31, 2023, and the toilet was fully functioning as evidenced in the attached video. When conducting our quarterly inspection in mid-November of the unit, property managers found the toilet no longer functioning and the unit in disarray with trash and vermin throughout, as documented in the photos attached. Additionally, knobs had been removed from the oven, as had the shower head; the removal of these items and the additional issues with the toilet were never shared with the property management team and were only found during the inspection. Regarding claims of a lack of heat, records show that a work order was never submitted for heating problems and during the repairs in August and inspection in November, no issues with the temperature in the unit were observed.
Given the condition of the unit, as well as the fact that Ms. Howard has not paid rent since August 2022 and did not respond to multiple notices and inspection requests, Ms. Howard had received several citations for violations and the company had no choice but to move forward with the eviction process and question if Ms. Howard had abandoned her unit (we have attached a notice for your reference). While we sincerely wish Ms. Howard a return to health, it is simply untrue that the management company created the conditions that led to her medical incident.
Regarding security measures at the property, Millennia Companies strives to provide residents with a safe and decent living environment. As such, the community is secured and controlled through key fobs at the entryways and there is a strict policy against unauthorized persons entering the premises. Additionally, there is a full-time property manager onsite during normal business hours and management monitors entry access via a camera system.
As a company, we care about our residents, their quality of life, and their well-being. We have attached images of the property that were submitted to HUD for your reference. We are committed to addressing the needs and issues raised by residents in a prompt manner, as we did in the case of Ms. Howard.
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