TOLEDO, Ohio — 11 investigates has an update on a local apartment complex that's in the crosshairs of the local and federal government.
WTOL 11 reported tenant complaints of bugs, no running water, broken appliances, toilets and sinks at Covenant House in north Toledo.
Those issues were brought to 11 Investigates in late October 2023 by Mae Howard's mother and son. Howard is a former Covenant House tenant who suffered a stroke, prompting her family to access her apartment and find her living conditions, which Howard documented via video and numerous written complaints, including by withholding her rent in escrow twice.
11 Investigates met with Toledo City Councilperson, Vanice Williams in early December, who promised to take action for Howard and other tenants in her district to help with their issues at Covenant House.
Since that meeting, Williams told 11 Investigates that the city is forcing Millennia Companies, which owns the property, to fix a series of issues.
She said the city holds a loan on the property and will not further finance Millennia until those issues are addressed.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also told 11 Investigates it visited the property in late December.
A spokesperson said, "HUD staff conducted a site visit at the property on December 28, 2023, and is in direct contact with the property owner on repairs that must be made to the property to bring it up to our standards. HUD is also aware of resident concerns related to property maintenance and repairs."
Millennia Companies said of the visit, "The assessment was primarily positive and outlined minor deficiencies and issues. All critical repairs identified during HUD's visit were promptly addressed, and we continue to work with HUD to identify and remedy other repair needs."
11 Investigates stopped by Covenant House Monday to ask Robert Valdez, a current tenant we interviewed in November, whether he has seen any improvements.
He said not yet.
"I would like to think that the people that are getting the checks, if they came here and seen it, I would like to think that human nature would make them say, 'Wow, I can't believe it was like this,' That's what I'd like to think," he said.
11 Investigates also informed U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) about the tenant complaints at Covenant House in December. Williams said Brown's office had a representative in a Dec. 20 meeting with a "task force" of officials from local housing authorities, city code enforcement, HUD, and the Lucas County Commissioner's office.
Monday, Brown said, "No family should have to live in an unsafe or unhealthy home, and I am deeply concerned by reports of dangerous conditions at Covenant House. I'm committed to working with the community to ensure that the owners are held accountable and that they are providing the services that residents and the public expect."