JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Tallahassee-based law firm said it's looking into filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of nearly 50 people who live in HUD apartment complexes in Jacksonville.
Robert Barnhill is an administrative legal assistant with the Bernard Daley law firm. He said they're looking into a series of allegations about dangerous living conditions in a handful of low-income communities.
John Starling moved to the Willow Lakes apartment complex in September. He's convinced he has black mold.
"It's frustrating because I came out here thinking I'd have a safe and clean environment to live in," he said.
Starling has severe asthma and has had respiratory issues for months. The roof was blown off his old unit following a storm in November. He said he was moved to a new unit that he now believes has black mold growing between the walls.
The apartment manager told First Coast News they've never had an issue with mold in any of their units. She admits, however, the complex hasn't tested the units either.
Marva Hendrix said she is dealing with similar problems at the Oakwood Villa apartments, another HUD housing complex, down the road.
She said mold, mildew, roaches and problems with the sewage are things she's been battling for months. She said the conditions are making her young daughter sick.
"It's awful. There's so many sick kids out there, it's crazy. People really don't understand how serious it is. For it to be swept under the rug is even worse," she said.
First Coast News reached out to the Oakwood Villa apartments and our calls haven't been returned.
Barnhill said based on the pictures and evidence they've collected so far, there's a serious problem.
"Our goal is to have HUD demo these properties," he said.
The tenants tell First Coast News they just want a clean and safe place to live and raise their family.
"I can't even cook dinner for my daughter because sometimes the water pressure is so low, it's not even running," Hendrix said.
First Coast News is awaiting a response from the Department of Housing and Urban Development about these claims.
The manager at Willow Lakes said she thinks some of the complaints are a misunderstanding. She said she's holding a meeting for people who live at the complex Thursday at 3 p.m.
Barnhill said potential plaintiffs can call the law firm at 850-270-2123.
