Alcoa Families Face Uncertain Future After Apartment Building Condemnation
ALCOA, Tenn. — A total of nine families are embarking on a challenging journey to find new homes after the City of Alcoa made the difficult decision to condemn their apartment building due to serious electrical hazards and other code violations. This news came as a shock to residents of Lakemont Village Apartments, who received the notice just a couple of days ago, leaving them with little time to relocate.
Condemnation Chaos
The condemnation notice, issued on November 4, signals that the complex on Cerritos Way, just off Alcoa Highway, is officially unfit for human habitation. Residents had been informed by the city way back in September that they might want to start looking for other housing options, but now they only have until November 14 to vacate.
Marie Felt opened the door to her son’s apartment, which has been condemned, and it was hard to find a silver lining. Water dripped from a pipe while a large hole in the ceiling displayed months of neglect. “We reported this to management, but they’ve done nothing,” said Felt. The maintenance issues have persisted for so long that it’s becoming an uphill battle for tenants. “They’ve seen pictures, even visited our apartments, and still, they won’t lift a finger.”
Residents Share Their Plights
Tammy Chandler, another resident, expressed her frustration standing beneath the gaping hole in her bedroom ceiling. “I don’t even sleep in my room anymore. I’ll take the couch instead. Who knows what’s living up there?” she explained, detailing issues that have remained unresolved since early September.
Residents were alarmed to discover critical electrical hazards caused by water pouring into electrical junction boxes due to the leaky roof. Ethan Davis, a former maintenance worker at Lakemont, shared a bit of insight into the troubles facing the complex. “We attempted to fix the roof back in July, putting tarps up to try to stop the leaks, but we just didn’t have enough materials.” His efforts were met with management’s lack of support. “They just didn’t buy what we needed.”
Moving Forward
The news leave residents feeling helpless. “It’s horrible, no one should be living like this,” Felt lamented. Many of them report they have nowhere to go and the thought of searching for housing amid an already tight rental market adds to their worries. “I need to find a place ASAP to escape this situation,” added Chandler.
The city gave the property management company, based out of Johnson City, a curt 30 days to come up with a solid plan to fix the violations. However, residents face a different timeline, as their move-out date is rapidly approaching. Many are concerned about getting back their deposits, which range over $500, but management has reportedly refused those requests.
“I absolutely will not sign another lease here. They haven’t repaired anything, ever,” said Duane Flemmings, who lives in one of the other buildings at Lakemont. He shared that his front door still remains unfixable despite management’s promises months prior.
A Community in Distress
The challenges faced by these families not only highlight serious management failures but reveal an urgent need for improved living conditions. The communities are rallying to support one another, but the next steps are still unclear as they scramble to find safe and affordable housing.
As it stands, these families face an uncertain future, all while realizing that home should be a place of comfort, not one plagued by unsafe conditions. Here’s hoping these families find a path to safe and stable living soon.
