KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Frustrated residents in mold-infested apartments in the Englewood apartment complex in the 5400 block of NW Waukomis, are still fighting for healthy living conditions.
Millinnia, the owners of Englewood Apartments, are promising a $10 million renovation of this entire apartment complex.
The catch is the renovations will only start 30 days after the company is approved to get federal tax credits to help pay for renovations.
In late July, inspectors with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Kansas City health and fire departments looked at more than 80 units in the Englewood complex. They found a laundry list of fire and safety violations including collapsed ceilings with insulation covered in black mold, and water running through electrical outlets.
Since the inspections, some residents told 41 Action News their apartments still have mold, broken windows and collapsed ceilings.
One resident declined to be interviewed again claiming it won’t make a difference because she believes Millennia is, “taking advantage of the government and the system...” and she believes things will likely never change.
Kansas City Councilman Dan Fowler met with Millinnia executives after the code violations.
“He apologized profusely. He said he was greatly embarrassed by this and they pledged that they would repair all these things,” Fowler said.
Millennia purchased Englewood in 2015. In January 2018, long before the code violations, Millinnia announced the $10 million renovation plan and began seeking federal funds. In their statement earlier this month, MIllinnia explained that construction will begin 30 days after they get federal funding.
“Do I like the idea of self-subsidizing a company that on its face is very profitable? No, I don’t but I have to keep my eye on the ultimate goal and the ultimate goal is to get these people in decent housing but they are definitely not in right now,” Fowler said.
Fowler said the clock is ticking for Millinnia to repair code violations before the end of the month. If they don’t, Millinnia could be fined $450 per code violation.
