Video - Mold forces KCDC residents into new housing

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Mold forces KCDC residents into new housing

WATE.com - Knoxville,TN*

By DON DARE

6 On Your Side Reporter

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=6774402 & nav=E8Yv

KNOXVILLE (WATE ) -- If you're renting a home with mold in

Tennessee, your landlord is required to clean it. But some residents

of a North Knoxville apartment complex got nowhere at first, telling

management about mold.

Tennessee's Landlord Tenant Act states that the landlord must comply

with building and housing codes that affect the health and safety of

tenants.

However, conditions weren't fit for two residents of Lion's Den

Apartments off Valley View Drive in North Knoxville.

The mold has Singletary concerned about her health and her

youngest daughter's. A medical report says the little girl has a

bacterial infection, apparently caused by mold.

" Behind the washing machine, all you see is mold, black mold. Inside

the bathroom closet, once again we have black mold, " says.

There's also mold in other parts of her home. " This is where my

daughter has to sleep next to the window, black mold. "

Ginger , 's neighbor, has mold in her apartment, too.

And she's moved her three-month-old son out of his room.

" Along the wall, it grows in the carpet. I'm constantly cleaning the

walls. I'm scared to let him sleep in his room because of the mold.

Three times a week, I'm using this on my floors and the windows to

keep the mold out. I'll call and complain to management. They'll

tell me to clean with bleach. That's it, " Ginger says.

Ginger and receive Section 8 housing vouchers regulated by

the Knoxville Community Development Corp. (KCDC)

Both women have lived in the complex's A section for a couple of

years. " I complain to the apartment manager. She says someone will

come in and fix it. Unfortunately within the two years of living

here, no one has come in and fixed it, " says.

Outside Ginger's apartment near her infant son's window, the bricks

are green with mold.

And there's also a problem with water outside 's

apartment. " All we see here is mud, water, dampness, as well as

everyone knows, we're going through a drought. So why do we have

water? " says.

6 On Your Side went to the acting apartment manager, Celia Hastings,

to ask why the mold hasn't been taken care of.

" Do you know if anyone has made an effort to get rid of the mold in

their apartments? " 6 On Your Side asks. " Oh, I believe so, " Celia

says.

Debbie is the Section 8 manager for KCDC. At the request of 6

On Your Side, an inspector from KCDC looked at the two apartments

and ordered them cleaned within 30 days.

" We are going to make them correct the problem. They have to abate

the mold in the hallway, the laundry room, the bedrooms and the

outside area. They are required to meet housing quality standards,

which means the unit is a decent, safe and sanitary unit, " Debbie

says.

KCDC is also moving and Ginger to new homes. They signed up

the other day.

Soon, they'll be residents at Summercrest Apartments, located at

3930 Summercrest Way.

" Oh, wow, this is such a blessing, " says. " I'm very excited.

I'm just thankful that somebody cared, " Ginger says.

If you're a Tennessee renter and your home has a mold problem,

contact your landlord.

If the landlord doesn't make an effort to eliminate the mold, check

with the city or county where you live.