McClellan, Aird and Pope Adams Demand Answers from Carriage House Apartments After Uninhabitable Conditions Threaten Hundreds of Petersburg Residents

Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it: On Friday, May 15th, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), State Senator Lashrecse D. Aird (SD-13) and State Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams (HD-82) sent a letter to the Chairman and CEO of Envolve LLC demanding answers and swift resolution to deteriorating living conditions at Carriage House Apartments, an affordable housing community in Petersburg, Virginia.

Residents and officials with the City of Petersburg have repeatedly sounded the alarm on uninhabitable conditions and unresolved maintenance issues that have gone unaddressed. With concerns ranging from lack of hot water, to persistent leaks, to a broken elevator system making it difficult for residents with disabilities to reach their apartment, residents have received little communication about their requests. When the City of Petersburg deemed Carriage House uninhabitable, residents were given no insight into the building's evacuation.

"It is unconscionable that vulnerable residents continue to live in conditions that may jeopardize their health, safety, and dignity," wrote the lawmakers. "It is furthermore unacceptable that residents have received little correspondence or communication from property management officials about their requests and were left in the dark as to when, whether, and how to evacuate the premises when conditions proved to be uninhabitable."

The lawmakers continued, "As you know, Carriage House is an affordable housing community serving more than 150 seniors and individuals with disabilities, aged 62 and older, including individuals living with disabilities, chronic illnesses and other impairments. Many residents may have limited mobility or limited financial means, making timely maintenance, accessible living conditions, and reliable property management especially critical. However, residents consistently report broken elevators, mold, mice and other pests, lack of air conditioning, pipe leaks and much more."

The lawmakers urged Envolve to take immediate action to address all outstanding code compliance issues identified by the City of Petersburg, while also providing suitable alternative housing and accommodation for all residents until all issues are resolved and maintaining timely communication with all relevant parties. The lawmakers also requested a meeting with CEO Daniel Hughes and other property management officials to discuss short-term and long-term strategies to improve living conditions.

"We look forward to working with you to ensure that Carriage House is a safe, quality and secure community for all residents who call it home," the lawmakers concluded.

Read the full letter text here.