Larson Requests Federal Investigation into JRK Property Holdings for Gross Mistreatment of Tenants at Concierge Apartments

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01)formally requesteda federal investigation into JRK Property Holdings by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Yesterday, hundreds of tenants at Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill were ordered to evacuatedue to broken heating and hot water systems, burst pipes, flooding, and a failed fire suppression system.

Larson's call for a federal investigation comes after JRK Property Holdings dodged Attorney General William Tong's probeinto their failures to keep tenants safe amid frigid temperatures and an impending snowstorm this weekend. Tonight, Larson informed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner that he expected a full response from HUD within seven days.

"I write to request that you investigate JRK Property Holdings for their failure to provide safe and habitable rental units for residents of Concierge Apartments," Larson wrote. "Over the past two weeks, Connecticut has experienced below freezing temperatures, which caused pipes to burst at Concierge Apartments. Residents have reported that the buildings' heating and hot water have been broken for at least 10 days amid the frigid weather. On February 5th, the fire marshal and building inspector ordered the evacuation of two buildings due to a failed fire suppression system.

"Concierge Apartments is legally required under Connecticut state law to accept Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Vouchers, and its ownership group, JRK Property Holdings, is the recipient of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac financing. Given that JRK Property Holdings is the beneficiary of HUD programming, this gross mistreatment of tenants warrants an immediate investigation of the ownership group by the Department of Housing and Urban Development," Larson continued.

Read Rep. Larson's full letter to Secretary Turner HERE.