Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Housing Authority: Common Ground calls for investigation
MILWAUKEE – After a number of complaints of unacceptable circumstances at Housing Authority of the Metropolis of Milwaukee residences, Frequent Floor introduced a marketing campaign to demand an investigation Sunday, March 26.
The group says it listened to greater than 1,000 individuals dwelling in 17 properties operated by HACM. Frequent Floor mentioned they’re pressured to dwell with rats, mattress bugs, mould, unreliable warmth and air-con and extra. They accuse HACM of retaliation in opposition to those that communicate up.
“We have to carry accountability to a system the place residents — a lot of whom are seniors and other people with disabilities — don’t really feel secure, the place administration insults and intimidates residents, the place lease funds are “misplaced,” the place warmth and air-con do not work, the place residents dwell with rats, bedbugs and mould, and the place the director makes $240,000,” mentioned Will Davis, pastor of Invisible Actuality Ministries and member of Frequent Floor’s government group.
Not too long ago, FOX6 Information informed you about issues at Locust Courtroom, a Housing Authority constructing. These issues embrace just one working elevator within the constructing with 230 models. Residents informed FOX6 the second elevator has been down since December.
“It’s plenty of seniors and disabled individuals, and so they aren’t in a position to stroll,” mentioned Timothy Wilburn.
Residents mentioned they need the elevator repaired and for his or her considerations to be addressed.
“They act like they don’t care about us,” mentioned Wilma Gibson.
In January, FOX6 was at Locust Courtroom after a minimum of 21 autos have been damaged into. Residents woke as much as damaged home windows and shattered glass in a spot that’s purported to be safe.
“We’re all senior residents, you realize?” mentioned Jabe Johnson, Sr. “We don’t have some huge cash to pay $100-$200 to get a window put again in.”
This wasn’t the primary time the car parking zone at a Housing Authority complicated has been hit. A number of automobiles on the Merrill Park constructing have been repeatedly hit over the summer season regardless of cameras and safety.
“It’s actual irritating,” mentioned Johnson, Sr.
This rash of break-ins left those that dwell right here demanding change so the place they name residence can begin to really feel prefer it once more.
“Doing it time and again, and so they’re preying on us senior residents,” mentioned Joyce Williams.
FOX6 reached out to the Housing Authority for touch upon every of those points and didn’t hear again.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get day by day headlines, breaking information emails from FOX6 Information
Frequent Floor and residents need HACM to work with them on six areas of reform:
- Deferred upkeep: Make investments a minimum of $75 million to handle deferred and important upkeep, in session with residents, over the following two years.
- Administration: Create a resident-centered administration system (together with tradition, accountability, coaching, and hiring) with residents collaborating in each facet.
- Pests/rodents: Rent a third-party pest management firm to examine every property for bugs and rodents and supply a whole analysis and complete plan for eradicating and protecting them at bay.
- Safety: Develop and implement a brand new public security plan to handle crime and security in and round HACM properties.
- Tenant rights: Respect residents’ civil rights, together with the proper to assemble and arrange. Guarantee tenants are knowledgeable of and assured due course of for all grievances or disciplinary actions.
- Accountability: Fund a full-time ombudsperson who would conduct unbiased {and professional} investigations of complaints lodged by HACM residents, workers or taxpayers.