HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As families devastated by Hurricane Harvey continue waiting for aid, City of Houston council members approved a $4.6 million contract aimed at moving applications through the pipeline quicker.
Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions was the only bidder for the city contract. The company will provide residential home damage assessments and asbestos, lead-based paint and mold inspections for families who applied for aid through the city’s Harvey Homeowner Assistance Program, Harvey Recovery Small Rental program, and other Harvey Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery funded residential programs.
«We’ve got to nearly 2,000 files in the pipeline and as long as we can get the inspection services ready to go, they are moving forward,» Tom McCasland, director of Housing and Community Development Department, told 13 Investigates’ Ted Oberg last month.
The approval of the contract is the latest action city leaders have taken since 13 Investigates began asking questions about why thousands of families are still waiting for aid two years after Harvey made landfall in August 2017.
Last month, the city announced it ended its contract with APTIM, the private company hired to be the program manager. The city also hired seven new housing specialist last month and got rid of the deputy director specifically hired to run the disaster recovery program in June.
As the contract was presented, Councilman Dave Martin raised questions about the group’s qualifications. Martin wanted to make sure the city had vetted the company’s past work.
The city said it solicited bids for the contract from 10 vendors through the U.S. General Services Administration. Four were not interested and only one — Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions — responded positively as wanting the contract.
In a letter to the procurement team, released to 13 Investigates on Wednesday, McCasland detailed the process and Wood’s experience in past disasters, including «over 50 years of history working in Texas, with more than 4,500 local staff members in Houston.»
Martin said the letter answered his questions about the company’s qualifications.
Last month, the city said it had 130 applications from Harvey victims that were far enough into the process to where they needed a damage assessment, but that the applications were bottlenecking due to a lack of inspectors.
«We need this in place as quickly as possible because we have a pipeline moving. This is our current roadblock,» McCasland told council last month. «We have homes lined up, ready to schedule (inspections).»
McCasland said the contract will allow the city to pay the contractor per inspection rather than for time worked. He expects it will cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 a piece, depending on each home’s needs.
The contract will draw from the city’s $1.2 billion federally-funded Harvey recovery program. The city says it expects to spend about $1.7 million of the $4.6 million contract during fiscal year 2020, and the rest will be spend through the remainder of the three-year contract.
The contract can be renewed up to a maximum of five years and the city can terminate it at any time based on performance, provided it gives 30 days written notice.
With proper installation, a roof can last decades without the need to be replaced. If you want your roof to last as long as possible, consistent maintenance is required. Here are some expert tips any reputable Dallas roofer would recommend keeping it in pristine condition.
Regular Inspections
A professional roofer in Dallas will offer inspections as part of their service to homeowners. For many, inspecting your roof is either burdensome, or you are not entirely sure what to identify. Looking out for compromised shingles, locations where there is extra moisture build-up, and other possible areas of concern are all part of a roof inspection. Climbing up on a roof isn’t an option for many, so they opt to hire a professional instead.
Keep It Clean
Keeping your roof clean is often an overlooked part of maintaining a roof. Without proper cleaning, a roof will start to grow mold and algae. If you leave it untreated, mold can create some significant damage to your roof. Schedule an appointment with a power washing company to prevent unwanted issues. Also, a clean roof looks much better than a dirty one.
Don’t Forget The Gutters
Ignoring gutter cleanliness is also another forgotten maintenance requirement for the functionality of your roof. You can risk some issues with your home’s foundation if you don’t clean your gutters at least on an annual basis. Again, almost any Dallas roofer will offer gutter cleaning as part of their service options.
Maintain Nearby Trees
Trees can be a significant issue for any roof when they start to grow too close to your property. Heavy limbs can not only fall on your roof, creating damage, but the branches can also break off causing harm to your shingles. Also, leaves come off trees and clog up your gutter system. Make sure your nearby trees are routinely trimmed and remove overhanging limbs immediately.
Replace Caulking as Needed
You have flashing on top of your roof that will prevent against possible water leaks. Part of a roof’s inspection can be ensuring the caulking around flashings is doing its job. If necessary, apply new caulking as needed to prevent water intrusion.
Hire A Reliable Roofing Contractor
An expert roof in Dallas should be able to meet the concerns for all homeowners. Many good reasons exist to hire a professional but having the peace of mind in regards to your roof is a priority for many individuals. A roof is a significant investment, so it is a priority for most people to have it last as long as possible.
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A gray-shingled, two-bedroom house on Route 6A will be among three properties that will go to the highest bidder at a rare town-sponsored property auction early next month.
The other two properties up for grabs are undeveloped, wooded parcels at 36 Asa Meiggs Road (8 acres); and at 28 Liberty Street (.25 acres). The eight-acre property is assessed at $373,900 and the Liberty Street parcel is valued at $165,000, according to town records.
“We acquire these properties, generally, because no one has paid the taxes—sometimes for years” William Jennings, town tax collector and treasurer, told members of the finance committee on Tuesday, September 3. “Some properties we have to take, but we don’t want them.”
The auction will be held at Town Hall on October 2 at noon. Interested bidders must post a $10,000 deposit and be prepared to pay at least another $10,000 within 24 hours, according to information posted on the town website.
The town does not like to be in the property-taking business because abandoned properties require much time and effort by Mr. Jennings and his staff. The tax collector’s’ office works to track down family members through public records, persuade them to pay the back taxes, and, failing that, places liens on the properties.
The two-bedroom house—which sits on a .95-acre of land at 198 Route 6A—was particularly time consuming for Mr. Jennings.
In January, Mr. Jennings made a rare appearance at a historic district committee meeting to ask for a demolition permit for the home, which was built in the 1930s or ‘40s.
The town took ownership of the abandoned property after the previous owner stopped paying the property taxes. The house’s weathered gray shingles and bright turquoise shutters belie the extensive water damage and mold within, Mr. Jennings told members of the Sandwich Old King’s Highway Historic District Committee.
“The delinquent taxes on this property have not been paid for years,” Mr. Jennings said at the time. “We took ownership of it last fall, which is unusual for us. We don’t usually get to that point and we don’t want to be in the real estate business.”
The Route 6A property is assessed at $336,600 for the house and the land.
Mr. Jennings was seeking the demolition permit because the town hopes to sell the property as quickly as possible and get it back on the tax rolls. The town sought to sweeten the deal by providing the new owner with a demolition permit approved by the historic district committee.
The interior of the house was—and remains—in bad shape.
The mold and mildew were so overwhelming that town staff had to wear masks to investigate inside, Mr. Jennings told the historic committee.
The department of public works had to be called to clear brush so overgrown it obscured the driveway and most views of the house, Mr. Jennings said.
The HDC members reluctantly granted the demolition permit in March, saying the house was not historically significant. But they said they hoped the magnificent old trees on the property—and some of the architectural elements of the house, such as doors and windows—could be saved. The historic committee also suggested that a replacement house of similar style and size be built in its place.
The committee would rather see old homes restored, but understood, in this case, that it would be an expensive undertaking.
When back taxes are owed on a property, the town places a lien on the property until the taxes are paid in full or a payment schedule is worked out between the town and the property owners, Mr. Jennings told the finance committee this week.
Almost all such matters are worked out between the town and the property owners, but not in the case of 198 Route 6A. The town had been trying for years to persuade the family to pay the back taxes, but got no response, Mr. Jennings said.
“It almost looks like the person who lived there passed away, and the family just left it,” Mr. Jennings said.
The two other properties that will be auctioned off were also abandoned and family members could not be tracked down or were not interested, Mr. Jennings said.
Now that it’s back to school time, you’ve likely seen your fair share of checklists telling you what items you’ll need to purchase for your kids to make the most of the upcoming school year. In addition to the school supply checklists, we’ve put together a handy and helpful to-do-list for you to help get your home ready for the upcoming fall season! Prepare now while you still have time before cold weather hits.
1. Winterize Your AC.
Even though the weather may not be «cold» just yet, it’s important to know what steps you’ll need to take to prepare your AC for the winter season. You may have heard that covering your air conditioner is the best way to keep it safe and sound while not in use — but this isn’t true! When you cover your air conditioner, it may do more harm than good.
Keeping a cover on your air conditioner may trap moisture inside of the unit, and this could lead to the development of mold. The worst part is that you won’t know about the development of this fungus until the spring season when you turn your cooling system on for the first time and notice a musty odor flowing through your home. Mold spores in the air could cause serious health problems for your loved ones.
Additionally, covering your AC during its «off-season» may create an inviting environment for rodents and other critters trying to find a shelter from the cold. These animals may get into your cooling system and cause damage to the wiring and other various components in the unit.
2. Check the concrete surfaces around your home.
Perform a visual inspection of your driveway, patio, pool area, sidewalks, and so on to determine if there are any cracks present. You’ll want to get them filled and sealed before freezing weather arrives. If moisture gets into these openings and freezes, the expansion of the precipitation in the concrete could cause the cracking to become worse.
Additionally, the moisture could seep underneath the concrete surface and cause the slab to shift upward/downward in place. It’s a much bigger headache to fix bowed concrete surfaces than to simply get the cracks filled in when you first notice a problem!
3. Inspect your roof.
Your roof is the first layer of protection on top of your home against rain, sleet, snow, wind, and ice. Be sure to look for the following signs of damage while performing your inspection:
Missing or damaged shingles
Fading or discoloration
Damaged caulking or sealing around your chimney or venting
Mold growth
Loose or damaged gutter/downspout sections
Water damage
Bird or other animal nesting materials
You’ll want to get these issues taken care of before the worst of winter arrives. Any weakened areas on top of your home will be prone to serious moisture damage if it experiences snow or ice. This moisture could damage roof panels and eventually make its way into the attic of your home.
4. Prepare or replenish your winter emergency kit.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to keeping your family protected. If you don’t already have a winter emergency kit stocked and on-hand, now is the best time to get one prepared. You’ll want to include the following items: battery-powered radio with extra batteries, flashlight, bottled water, non-perishable food items, candles and matches/lighters, first aid supplies, extra blankets, any special need/medication items your family members may need.
If you already have a winter emergency kit in your home, check it to see which items may need to be replenished, such as batteries, food, or first aid supplies. It’s also a great idea to keep a winter emergency kit in your car in case you are stuck in the cold on the road during winter weather. This kit should include the above items, as well as road flares, jumper cables, and an ice scraper.
5. Store lawn equipment and patio furniture.
Once cold weather hits, you won’t need your lawn mower, weed eater, garden hose, or your patio table and chairs. Be sure to store these items safely in a shed, your basement, or in the garage. Keeping these items outdoor and exposed to the elements could cause them to suffer premature wear and tear from the snow, ice, and excessively cold temperatures.
It’s especially important to remember to disconnect your garden hose, drain it, and put it away for the winter. If you leave the hose outside, any moisture left inside could freeze and cause it to crack. Also, failure to drain your hose, while keeping it connected to your outdoor spigot, could result in water freezing in your home’s pipes connecting to the outside line. When the water in these pipes freezes, it could cause the pipe to break inside your home’s walls or floors.
Additional to-do’s to add to your checklist:
Schedule annual maintenance for your heating system
Clear your gutters/downspouts of leaves and outdoor debris
Winterize your window and door frames by adding extra sealing, if necessary
Trim back tree limbs that hang over your roof or are growing too close to power lines
Have your chimney cleaned by a professional to remove ash build-up
Check your attic’s insulation and add more, if necessary
This homeowner to-do list for the fall should help keep your family warm and comfortable all season long, and also help to keep your home protected from the elements. You should also consider enrolling in a protection program to cover issues arising from normal wear and tear to your home Plumbing, HVAC, or Electrical systems, that may not be covered by your home insurance. For additional resources on how to protect your home, visit: www.AWRUSA.com/details or call (866) 315-4471 to learn more about home system protection programs.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new report examining immunosuppressed residents of Texas that were exposed to mold following Hurricane Harvey damage to the Houston metropolitan area in 2017.Issued in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the report surveyed 103 immunosuppressed residents in the Houston area. Almost half of the participants (50) engaged in cleanup of mold and water-damaged areas. Of these people involved in light and heavy cleanup activities, just over half reported wearing a respirator. This low use of respirators is concerning to health professionals and advocates as the MMWR report states, “Immunosuppressed people are at risk for invasive mold infections (primarily respiratory) with mortality rates as high as 50%.”
“We decided that the best thing to do is take out the sheet rock that was water damaged and, in some cases, had mold develop and have mold remediation done by an outside contractor,” said Sheeley.
DeMezzo said complete removal of the walls created 100 % certainty “there was no mold.”
Associate Director of Housing Operations Marvin Wilson said had the mold reached the carpet or more than a dime size had formed on any furniture they would have to be discarded.
“It was a very last-minute issue that popped up,” said DeMezzo.
According to DeMezzo, he and Wilson became aware of the issue the Friday before move-in day.
“Our summer really is spent really going through every room in every building to prepare for the academic year,” said Wilson. “So, it’s as a result of constantly going through where we just discover some issues.”
While Wilson worked on assessing every room for possible damages, DeMezzo said he worked closely with Sheeley’s office to do whatever was necessary to get students moved in.
“This was a case where we need to get the work done so the students could
move in and we figured– we’ll deal with the costs after,” said DeMezzo. “I don’t think it will be significant because it was two days’ worth of work. It’s just more important to take care of the students first and we’ll worry about how much it costs later.”
Sheeley said he plans on bringing in an engineer to look at the A/C units and their rusted, obsolete brackets to avoid the problem in the future. Once the engineer is done, he said he should receive an estimate for the potential work; he also is waiting on a bill from the outside mold remediation contractor.
DeMezzo said he admits the walls need more work, and, more than likely, that work will take place over the winter break since most students do not want their rooms painted now.
Several more coats of tape compound or plaster must be applied to the resheet rocked walls as well as sanded between coats, Sheeley said, before the official painting of the walls can begin.
“But all that process takes time,” said Sheeley, “because you have to let the compound dry.”
According to Sheeley, the average drying time between coats is 24 hours.
Psychology major Serena Johnstone, a freshman, said she had signed up for her room in late July and was housed in Schwartz Hall, but then decided to move to North.
“Most of my friends live
in [North],” said Johnstone, “so I just kind of figured that would be helpful for just having people to study with.”
Johnstone said she was not made aware of the damage to her room until she arrived to move-in at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
“I was told that I was not gonna be allowed to move into my room because of the damage from the air conditioning leaking,” said Johnstone, “ and, it had leaked from the top floor, like 606, all the way down the entire building and every sixth room and I’m 506.”
She said the wall was ripped up by her window on one side of the room and by her suitemate’s bedroom as well.
A dehumidifier was put into the room temporarily, Johnstone said, but ended
up leaking too. Johnstone said she then requested to room with her friends but was told “there’s technically no vacancy in the room.” Instead, she said, she was put in a suite with an athlete, who at the time was out to practice with her team.
“My mom got someone who is the supervisor, I guess, or the hall director, and he came and looked at the room and kind of gave the okay that I could move in,” said Johnstone, “because I really did not feel comfortable just being put in this space with these people that I didn’t know, and I would’ve had to stay there ‘til Monday [Sept. 26] cause that’s supposedly when they were gonna fix the room by.”
ALEXANDER COUNTY, IL — While the country is preparing for Hurricane Dorian, people in Alexander County, Illinois, are still cleaning up flood damage.
Sandbags still line the streets after the floodwater has gone down. Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief has been helping flood victims with their “mudout.” They’re helping people throughout the county clear debris so they can get things back to normal.
Don Kragness is one of the team leaders with Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. He said their teams go out and help people clean their homes. «We go in and take out any damaged material,» said Kragness. «Furniture, Sheetrock, carpet, and belongings. We clean it up, pressure wash it, and spray it for mold.»
Bobby Long is one of the 45 people throughout Alexander County who requested help from the program. He’s been living in a camper for months, and says without their help, he wouldn’t be able to get back into his home. «It’s a blessing from God, because I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t afford the respirators to get in that black mold, and they have all of that. They’re set up,” said Long.
Kragness said he and his team enjoy being able to help bring some positivity to people dealing with hardship. «It’s always great to come in and help somebody that can’t do it for themselves and get the job done. It’s a wonderful feeling,» said Kragness.
Kragness said they have a few more people to help in the area. The relief group will be there until the end of the week. We called Alexander County Emergency Management Director Mike Turner to find out what the plan is for the sandbags left behind. We did not hear back from him before air time.
Old Growth is a side mission in Control, which you can start after you’ve completed Threshold.
Emily Pope will ask you to find her college Dr. Underhill, who is studying the mold growing beneath Central Research. This will send you into the hidden underground world of the Research Sector.
There you’ll discover The Pit and the former Bureau employees who have been infected by the fungus. Looks like the Hiss has competition when it comes to invading the Bureau of Control.
On this page:
Need more help in your quest through the Oldest House? Then check out our Control walkthrough hub, with links to all our Control guides.
How to start Old Growth in Control
You can begin Old Growth by talk to Emily Pope in the Board Room in Central Executive after you’ve started My Brother’s Keeper.
Emily Pope will ask you to find her friend, Dr. Underhill. Apparently she has been studying the mold growing throughout the Oldest House.
To find her you need to head to Central Research either by taking the Sector Elevator or by fasting travelling via the Control Points.
Either way head to the lowest floor of Central Research. Look for the black plant life growing near a set of electric lights. In the corner near this plant life, you’ll find a hole.
Jump down the hole, using your Levitate ability to bring you safely to land.
Welcome to The Pit.
Make your way into the next room and use your Launch ability to place the electricity box on the socket next to the door you just passed through. This will re-activate the lift, allowing you easy access in and out of The Pit.
Once you’ve done that head through the door into the next room.
You can find a chest on the small outcrop to the right of you.
Head through the Clearance Level 4 door and talk to Dr. Underhill.
Collectables to be found:
Research & Records — Research — Threshold Utility Counteressay
(On the desk at the back of Dr. Underhill’s lab.)
Correspondence — Non-Official — Underhill: Checking In
(On a cart at the right-hand side of Dr. Underhill’s lab.)
Research & Records — Research — Mold Threshold
(On the desk in the left-hand of Dr. Underhill’s lab.)
The locations of collectables — Threshold Utility Counteressay, Underhill: Checking In and Mold Threshold.
Collect five Mold samples for Dr. Underhill
Dr. Underhill will ask you to find five different mold samples. Head through the door on the right, up the stairs and through the door to go further into The Pit.
Follow the corridor all the way along to the right, dropping down the stairs to find a chest and a collectable.
Going through the other doorway will bring you into the main Pit chamber.
Kill the first two fungus infected people you encounter and you’ll find yourself on a plateau overlooking The Pit.
The Pit is a very dangerous place, so it’s best to take out your enemies before you journey further. Stay on the plateau to do this.
There are two more fungus infected people in the bottom right-hand corner of the home, but the creatures you’ll want to direct your firepower onto are the living fungus. These will spit poison at you, leaving you dead after four or five shots depending on your health.
The best way to kill them is to shoot them with the Service Weapon and pulling up your shield when you see the purple poison coming your way. If you haven’t unlocked the shield yet, complete the A Good Defence mission.
There are four of these living fungus in total. Each one looks like a thinner version of the fungus infected people.
Whatever you do — don’t touch the purple floor.
The best order to find the samples is:
Type E
Type D
Cleanse the Control Point
Type A
Type B
Type C
Collectables to be found:
Case Files — Altered Items — Pink Flamingo Supplement
(At the bottom of the right hand corridor before you enter the main chamber of The Pit.)
The location of the collectable — Pink Flamingo Supplement
How to find the The Pit Control Point
Once you’ve made The Pit semi-safe. Head to the staircase directly opposite the plateau you’re standing on.
Go up these stairs and through a doorway to find the Control Point.
Cleanse it and you’ll have a fast travel point down into the Pit whenever you want it.
Where to find Type A: Grows near fresh corpses
In the room with the Control Point, head behind the pillar and you’ll find a small room containing Type A.
If you’re having trouble, follow the corpses.
The location of Type A.
Where to find Type B: Grows near toilets
On the far-left hand side corner of the main Pit chamber you’ll see an opening with a toilet sign next to it.
Head through this opening and you’ll find yourself in what used to be a bathroom. In the left-hand corner you’ll find all the toilets clumped together.
Climb up this toilet-mold-block and you’ll find yourself looking at Type B growing out of a toilet.
Climb up the toilet block to reach Type B.
Where to find Type C: Grows near televisions
After collecting Type B, head further down the corridor from the former bathroom.
Keep going past a desk and up a set of stairs till you find a doorway labelled ‘Lab 05.’
Enter this lab and you’ll find the sample growing in front of a television.
Head through the door to Lab 05 to find Type C.
Where to find Type D: Grows near staircases
Head to the staircase directly outside the plateau who enter by. You’ll find Type D underneath the stairs.
There is also a chest nearby.
The location of Type D.
Where to find Type E: Grows near The Pit
Drop down to the desk directly below where you first enter The Pit to find this sample.
The location of Type E.
Speak with Dr. Underhill
Once you’ve collected all the samples, take them back to Dr. Underhill.
She’ll give you a mystery pill and tell you to investigate the source of the mold.
Investigate The Pit
Head back to the main Pit chamber and descend through the Pit in the middle of the room. It’s the massive hole in the floor with purple smoke coming out of it.
Kill the two fungus hosts you come across. You can also access a chest and collectable by knocking down the pile of rubble hiding a doorway. This will lead to a small office area where you can levitate up onto the ledge to find the chest.
Heading left will take you further into the pit. Continue along the passageway to find a chest, killing the fungus infected people you come across. Follow the corridor to the left and you’ll come to another corridor, which looks like it has roots growing out of it.
Go down this corridor and kill the fungus people you find in there.
Grab the chest in the corner near all the mannequins, before jumping down the hole to fight Mold-1.
Collectables to be found:
Multimedia — FBC Recordings — Threshold Log 1
(On the floor when you descend to the lowest level of The Pit.)
Case Files — Altered Items — Balloon Supplement
(In the room you first enter at the bottom of the pit, knock down the rumble to your right to open a doorway, then levitate to the upper level and take it off the desk.)
Multimedia — FBC Recordings — Threshold Log 2
(On the floor in the room before you fight Mold-1.)
The locations of the collectables — Threshold Log 1, Balloon Supplement and Threshold Log 2.
How to defeat Mold-1 in Control
Before you fight Mold-1 make sure you have your best Headshot Boost mod equipped to your preferred Weapon Form. You’ll be aiming directly at Mold-1’s head, so this will give you an advantage over the creature.
Levitating down the hole will take you to the home of Mold-1.
Wait for Mold-1’s health bar to appear at the bottom of the screen, because any damage you do to Mold-1 before this won’t count.
Mold-1 will attack you by spitting out poison bullets and throwing one of its arms out at you. You can avoid these attacks by levitating around the room or hiding behind one of the large blocks.
The best way to attack Mold-1 is to alternate between using your Launch powers and then hitting it with your Service Weapon. Aim for the middle, largest, head of Mold-1 to deal the most damage. You’ll also want to try and launch as many of the fungus balls hanging from the ceiling at Mold-1, since these will deal additional damage.
There is a way to kill Mold-1 without taking any damage. When you enter Mold-1’s room, you’ll land behind a large cuboid. If you go to the right-hand side — to the point where you can attack Mold-1, but still be partly hidden by the block — Mold-1 will not attack you. This will allow you to simply kill Mold-1 without taking any damage.
Try to stand here to avoid being attacked by Mold-1.
Return to Underhill
Once you’ve killed Mold-1 head through the doorway at the back of the home. If you can’t find it, it’s surprisingly well hidden, just run around the edge of the room.
This is the doorway you’re looking for.
Go through this doorway and cleanse the Control Point you find. There is also a chest and a collectable in this room.
Use the Control Point to fast travel back to Central Research and then head back to Dr. Underhill the same way you found her.
Talk to Dr. Underhill and she’ll be less than happy that you killed Mold-1.
Collectables to be found:
Multimedia — FBC Recordings — Threshold 3
(In the dark corner in the room with the Control Point after Mold-1.)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Water damage, holes in the floor, and possible mold. Tenants are concerned about the current condition of their apartment after a hot water heater burst on June 26. The water was shut off, but it left serious damage at their Castlegate Drive home.
«There’s little holes all over the floor,» Julie Rappel-Auman said.
The landlord sent out a crew to fix some of the problem spots.
«The man who came out and worked on these two patches said that he did repairs in Hurricane Katrina, and this is comparable to the mold situation out there, and that his lungs were hurting from working on the floors,» Robin Hanafusa said.
The couple actually found mold growing on their furniture, and they’ve gone to the doctor multiple times with respiratory sicknesses in the last couple months. In addition, Hanafusa said she fell through a hole while washing the dishes.
«I caught myself on the sink luckily. My shoes went through the floor, and we had to rig a broom with some tape to stick down there and get my shoe back out, and my ankle was sprained, but I was trying to do normal things like wash the dishes and cook food,» Hanafusa said.
Their landlord offered them a new apartment that cost hundreds more a month. They can’t afford it, and they don’t have renters insurance to reimburse them for their losses. At this point, they’ve tried everything. A Metro Codes representative came out to look at their apartment too.
«We actually called codes out, he said that everything from here to here absolutely needed to be changed,» Rappel-Auman said.
When faced with homelessness, they chose to stay at the apartment. Now they’re hoping someone can help them find a safer place to live soon. The couple has a Go Fund Me page to help them during this time.
We reached out to Cottage Realty group, and the landlord, and have not heard back.
Damage Mold 