Letter to Secretary Ben Carson, HUD - Towne Gardens' Living Conditions Are Inexcusable And Demand Immediate Action
Letter
Dear Secretary Carson:
I write to request that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) promptly release the results of the September 13th HUD inspection of Towne Gardens housing complex. As you know, Towne Gardens is a 360-unit multifamily housing complex located in Buffalo, NY. The beleaguered complex consists of 301 federally subsidized Section 8 units, making the development subject to routine HUD inspection.
Prior to its most recent inspection, on June 5th HUD inspected the Towne Gardens complex giving it a failing score of 37c. This score indicates that HUD has identified one or more health and safety deficiencies on the property, in this case more than 100. According to reports the inspection revealed unsafe living conditions; citing inoperable smoke detectors, leaking ceilings, and exposed electrical wires amongst the many issues needing to be addressed.
After years of neglect, it is necessary that Towne Gardens new management take immediate action to provide safe and sanitary living conditions for all residents. I appreciate the actions HUD has taken thus far to reinspect the property and urge that HUD continue to take steps in the right direction by publishing the most recent inspection score in a timely manner. As residents are painfully aware, the June 5th inspection highlighted possible life-threatening conditions, reaffirming years of complaints from both residents and public officials. These reprehensible living conditions are inexcusable and once again call for immediate attention.
In 2015, I asked that HUD take immediate action to address concerns about the sub-standard living conditions at Towne Gardens. With the abysmal June 5th inspection score, it is of the utmost importance that we remain persistent and act with a great sense of urgency to resolve these concerns. The residents of Towne Gardens have suffered tremendously, and deserve that prompt action be taken to acknowledge and address the conditions of the complex. Thank you for your time and attention to this important request.
Sincerely,
Source