JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Congressperson Al Lawson is among several U.S. Representatives urging the Department of Urban Housing and Development to take greater action with federal assisted housing.
Lawson tells Action News Jax the rat infestation situation at the Hilltop Village Apartments was the what led him to reintroduce the bill.
Prior to last week’s inspection, Action News Jax learned that HUD hasn’t inspected the apartment complex since 2015.
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Tenants tell Action News Jax they have been given traps by pest control to help with the problem.
One tenant who didn’t want her name or face shown out of safety said it’s one of the many reasons she’s looking to move out.
“I’m surprised it hasn’t been shut down. I hate to say that, but it’s not healthy,” she said.
Tenants have showed Action News Jax several areas of their homes surrounded by rat feces and traps.
Rep. Lawson says the reintroduced HUD Inspection Act of 2021 would hold management companies accountable.
“I was really concerned and really upset with the city code enforcement, because they didn’t really do their job to have these kind of things happen,” he said.
Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman has also been vocal about the infestation and is urging for state and federal help, calling it a simple matter of health and safety.
“When I saw it up close and personal, I could see how they can be sick of tired of being sick and tired,” she said.
As for the tenant, she says it’s unfair.
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“If you don’t have any other place to live, you’re stuck,” she said.
The corporate owners said work is well underway, providing a statement that read in part,
“The pest control vendors are continuing with the regular treatment rotations as they work on the exclusions.”