Enclave Apartment tenants living in the 19 units damaged from fire and smoke this week initially were told they could move into empty, unfurnished apartments at the complex in White Oak complex.
Some were told they would need to sign new leases.
According to Jenner Fenner, spokesperson for Progressive Maryland, “Rather than providing adequate assistance to the affected families, management has refused to offer suitable temporary accommodations, such as hotel rooms. Instead, they have coerced tenants, many of whom are French-speaking African immigrants with limited English proficiency, into signing contracts for vacant units within the buildings.”
She added, “These units are empty and have no furnishings or basic necessities for the families. Hampshire Properties’ management company has shown consistent disregard and has a history of mistreating its tenants.”
Patrick Campbell, deputy chief operating officer with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, explained that because the apartment’s management was not responsible for the fires on Tuesday or Wednesday on the 19th floor, it was not legally responsible for paying for hotel accommodations.
“In this case, it is not believed to be at fault,” Campbell said of the complex management.
However, according to Campbell, the management later did give tenants a choice to stay at a hotel or move into a vacant apartment. Before all tenants without rental insurance understood their choices, the county did put up about five people at a hotel “until they could figure out what to do,” he said.
County, state and federal legislators have frequented the complex on Oak Leaf Drive, because it is the scene of so many complaints, according to Councilmember Kristin Mink. The county often is called to issue citations there for bugs, rodents, non-working elevators and utility issues, she said.
When hearing of another fire and the smoke damage to some apartments, some of those legislators went to the complex.
Wednesday night, the management strove to have all the politicians gathered there removed from the premises, Campbell said. Once the fire department left, they could be asked to leave as it is private property, he explained.
“We’re monitoring more closely this unusual situation,” he said.
Well, I’m just leaving the Enclave. Truly appalled by what I witnessed here by management. But everyone’s now housed for the night. Thank you to County HHS, OEMHS, DHCA, Red Cross, @Progressive_MD, my team, & most of all @EnclaveTenants volunteers who advocated all day. Back tmw. https://t.co/K10YGCT5xH pic.twitter.com/PIZJR7MTVT
— Councilmember Kristin Mink (@CMKristinMink) April 24, 2024
Related Post
‘Enough is Enough’: Enclave Residents Tired of Rats, Mold, Lax Security, Broken Elevators
