Congressman demands answers about problems at Bon Air Apartments

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After beforehand expressing concern about dwelling situations at Augusta’s Bon Air Residences, U.S. Rep. Rick Allen is stepping up the strain on the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth.

He despatched a letter to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge renewing requires quick motion relating to the deteriorating dwelling and constructing situations on the Bon Air.

“A housing concern of this magnitude may have no simple solutions, however the Bon Air residents have waited far too lengthy for house owners and administration to step up and deal with these crucial points,” he wrote. “It’s past time for all companions concerned in offering secure and reasonably priced housing at this location to take motion.”

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Over the previous 12 months, Allen has written to HUD on a number of events to inquire about situations on the Bon Air in addition to Redwood Housing Companions’ plans to amass the correct funding for renovations.

Allen visited the positioning with HUD employees and Redwood Housing Companions in September to obtain an replace on Redwood’s financing plans and to reply questions on residents’ complaints.

He notes in his letter than Redwood had utilized for grants however mentioned it had a contingency plan to maneuver ahead with proposed renovations and enhancements with its personal funding. He mentioned Redwood promised that renovations could be underway, no matter funding supply, starting within the first half of 2023.

In March, Allen discovered that Redwood didn’t get the grants it utilized. At a follow-up assembly with Redwood that very same month, he says he was advised it could be months earlier than redwood might present a renovation plan, not to mention begin renovations.

READ THE LETTER:

“This replace was not what they shared with me — or your employees — in September of 2022,” Allen wrote to Fudge. “We had been made a promise in good religion that that they had backup funds secured and secondary renovation plans set, when in actuality they’re nonetheless presently gathering sources of credit score, haven’t procured permits, and are placing collectively an alternate renovation plan, which now we have but to obtain, that won’t start till the latter half of 2023, on the earliest.”

Within the meantime, situations haven’t improved on the Bon Air, Allen says. He says residents have advised his employees of unsafe dwelling situations together with rat and bedbug infestations, widespread areas smelling of urine, gunshots on the property and extra.

Amongst different issues, Allen asks Fudge to elucidate what oversight the company plans to take, whether or not the company ensured Redwood had the funding for upkeep and enhancements when the corporate received a HUD contract, what recourse HUD has in opposition to Redwood and the way typically inspections have been made.

He gave Fudge a deadline of March 23 to supply documentation and requested a briefing on the method, subsequent steps and to reply further questions.

“Lastly, I ask that HUD representatives return to Augusta to as soon as once more tour the property with me and maintain a roundtable with native residents and stakeholders,” Allen wrote.

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