Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) renewed his call that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) address the uninhabitable conditions at Essex Village and other PK Management properties. Following written requests sent to HUD about the troubled property, Congressman McEachin asked regional representatives for plans to address his constituents' concerns and HUD's relationship with the management company.
"PK Management is not meeting the spirit of its obligation to provide safe, sanitary housing. My constituents are being forced to live with sewage backups, dangerous structural issues, rodents and other vermin," said Congressman Donald McEachin. "Enough is enough -- we need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars with this company, which has appeared to mismanage properties across the country. Essex Village should ideally be closed. In any event, residents need expedited access to vouchers that will empower them to move to decent homes."
Congressman McEachin requested the following information from HUD:
Documentation of needed repairs and information about upcoming inspections at Essex Village;
A plan to close Essex Village and provide vouchers to residents as soon as possible;
Permission for Henrico County officials to join HUD's inspectors for future inspections at Essex Village; and
Either termination or abatement of HUD's contracts with PK Management for all properties.
"I will continue to do everything I can so that my constituents do not live in these conditions and that taxpayer monies are not given millions of dollars to a company that has failed at their minimal responsibilities," said Congressman Donald McEachin.