Video - Mold Forces Families from their homes

April 8, 2008

Mold Forces Families from their homes

6abc Action News - NJ*

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. - April 7, 2008 (WPVI) -- A half dozen low income

families are having a very rough time now that a mold problem has

chased them from their homes.

Instead of taking the children home after school the bus dropped

them off at a Motel 6 in Maple Shade.

It's where their families are staying because a mold problem caused

the health department to declare their apartment building unsafe for

living and shut it down.

" All my children have had diarrhea, nausea, aches, pains, " said

Nobles.

Story continues belowAdvertisementTheir mothers rent apartments in a

transitional housing facility on Kaighn Avenue in Camden. They moved

there to climb out of homelessness, many after leaving abusive

relationships. Recently crews discovered mold when investigating

reports of a smelly leak.

" When they tore it down, that's when the smell exploded, " she said.

The mothers now believe hidden mold had been making their children

sick for months.

" We've all been having, fatigue, headache, upper respiratory,

cracked feet. Everything. Everything in this paper we've had, " said

Latanya Woodson.

The non-profit office of economic opportunity owns the building and

is paying for the Motel 6 stay. Still it's tough. The mothers, who

just paid rent, had to buy clothes and toiletries after they were

shut out of their apartments.

, who works at Checkers, can't afford to eat out every

meal financially or nutritionally.

" Checkers did help me out gave employee discount to feed the kids

today. But tonight, we've got to go to burger king, " said .

The mothers believe someone should have known about the mold. They

feel angry, hurt and betrayed.

" I can't believe this is going on. That I'm homeless again out here

in the street or in a hotel. I'm used to taking public

transportation, but I'm out here on Route 73. I have no way to get

to work, " said Woodson.

Authorities say fixed by Sunday. Residents are skeptical that can be

done that quickly or thoroughly.

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