Residents at two Toledo apartment complexes have been displaced for weeks with no confirmed return date.
Residents at the Byrneport Apartments and Norwich Apartments, both operated by Independent Management Services, were told weeks ago to pack their belongings and leave while repairs were completed. One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she was initially told the displacement would last four to six weeks.
“In two days, it’ll be eight weeks that I’ve been out of my home,” the resident said. “As of yesterday, I was told there’s not even a date on it yet, that it could be a few more weeks.”
Residents 13 Action News spoke to last week said they were told management was targeting April 17 for their return, but that date passed with no updates. They continue to pay rent for their two-bedroom units while living in hotel rooms.
“This is really, really starting to be bogus,” Jerry Chasteen, a Byrneport resident, said.
Chasteen said the families are living in cramped hotel conditions.
“We got families out here in this building that have three, four babies and is only in a one bedroom,” Chasteen said.
Some residents have taken their complaints to the Fair Housing Center. George Thomas, the center’s CEO, confirmed the center is aware but cannot comment on the specific issue. Thomas said federally subsidized housing must follow the Uniform Relocation Act.
“It does require if someone is displaced, they should be given a different housing unit that’s functionally equivalent to the unit they had, so that would include a kitchen or certain number of bedrooms that were included in the lease,” Thomas said.
Attempts to reach Independent Management Services were unsuccessful. The company’s general phone line has been disconnected.
One resident expressed frustration about the timing.
“My wife is a month from having this baby, I don’t want to have this baby in a hotel,” the Chasteen said.
Last week, a spokesperson for Independent Management Services said residents could not move back in because of delays with city inspections.
A city spokesperson issued 13 Action News this statement regarding both properties:
“A City of Toledo building inspector met with the contractor last Friday to perform a final inspection, but found several items were not in compliance, including electrical, fire alarms, and toilets. We understand the urgency of returning residents to their homes, but we take seriously the responsibility to ensure the homes they return to are safe and up to code. We look forward to returning for a follow-up inspection once the outstanding items have been appropriately addressed.”
