Back in 2008 we listed the eleven subsidized housing properties with the lowest physical inspection scores from HUD. One of those properties, Parkside Village of Waco, recently received another failing inspection stores and will likely be shut down by HUD. (While two other Waco properties appeared on a more recent list of two subsidized housing properties with the lowest physical inspection scores in 2009, Parkside village did not appear on that list as it was not inspected during 2009.)
JP Smith of the Waco Tribune-Herald has been closely following this story. His stories tell the tale better than we can:
- 2/28/10 Parkside Village apartment complex under fire with bankruptcy, failing inspections
- 3/13/10 State, federal officials to take long look at Parkside Village Apartments
- 3/21/10 Parkside owners will not invest more in ‘underwater’ low-income apartments
- 4/9/10 Relocation of Parkside Village tenants likely after repeated failed inspections
The last TDHCA board meeting contained a passing discussion of this property. In that discussion, Patricia Murphy, Chief of Compliance and Asset Oversight at TDHCA, pointed out that the Department does not have the authority to condemn or force a property to close, a power reserved by local code enforcement officials.
The board asked to be kept apprised of the problems at this property, so expect this to be discussed at the next TDHCA board meeting in May. Hopefully they can address the time lag between the original failing score in 2008 and action needed to provide the residents of Parkside Village housed with safe, code-compliant, affordable, housing.
