SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Federal housing inspectors visited the Sycamore Meadows apartment complex Tuesday morning following a township notice of non-compliance last week, and a wave of resident complaints about mold, flooding, and other damage.
Inspectors from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) walked through 10 units at the complex, accompanied by Superior Township Supervisor Emily Dabish Yahkind and the court-appointed receiver, or management team.
One of the units inspected belongs to Sharon, who said HUD staff photographed multiple problem areas in her home.
“They looked at the mold in the bathroom, they came down to check the basement, which I already cleaned up,” Sharon said. “They took pictures of my railing, pictures of the flooring.”
Last week, residents at Sycamore Meadows described basements with sewage, walls with what appeared to be mold and holes in ceilings. The township issued the property a non-compliance notice, citing those conditions and the complex’s failure to join the township’s rental inspection program.
Township and federal officials reached out to HUD, prompting Tuesday’s site visit.
“I want to make sure that what comes of this is not a band-aid for our residents,” Dabish Yahkind said. “That we have a long-term programmatic solution with effective timelines so that we can give folks something they can count on.”
Several residents who were not part of Tuesday’s walkthrough said they hope inspectors will come to their units next, adding their repair requests have gone unanswered for a while.
“I have a hole in my wall ‚” Lakita Guyton, a resident said. “I haven’t had inspections in years.”
Sharon requested that her face not be shown publicly to not be identified by management. She said that since she spoke out about the conditions last week, she has been threatened by management, allegations she has reported to federal and township officials, who she said have put her in contact with legal help.
“I became aware of that potential retaliation issue, I believe on Saturday, and since then I made sure that information has been relayed to HUD,” Dabish Yahkind said. “She shared that information as well, and she has quite a few allies to make sure she’s being taken care of as well.”
Local 4 tried to speak with the court appointed receiver about the non-compliance notice and the allegations from Sharon. They didn’t open the door for us, but minutes later they opened the door for someone else.
We also called to speak with management, were directed to another number and left a voicemail.
They have not returned a call yet.
Dabish Yahkind said she expects to meet with HUD officials Wednesday to discuss a plan for next steps at Sycamore Meadows.