Videos show rats crawling through trash at the Cullen Park Apartments but for residents, this isn’t just happening online. It’s happening inside their home.
HOUSTON — Videos showing rats crawling through trash at the Cullen Park Apartments have gone viral—but for residents, this isn’t just happening online. It’s happening inside their homes.
“We have rats. I don’t know where the rats coming from. They get rid of them. Rats is bad over here,” said one resident.
But for some families, the rats are just part of a larger problem.
“My house caught on fire three times for different things,” said a mother, who asked KHOU 11 to conceal her identity, fearing retaliation.
She says she worries for her family’s safety every day.
“I asked to move to another unit to remodel for my kids,” she said.
One of those fires started in the kitchen. Smoke damage still marks the wall. While management replaced the stove and patched up the wall, she says hazards remain—especially her door, which often jams.
“It get to the door I have to open with a knife,” she said. “I would have to get my kids out of the second floor.”
When asked what scares her the most as a mother living in these conditions, she didn’t hesitate.
“My kids—something happen while my kids asleep. Or the fire and stuff.”
Activist Dr. Candice Matthews says she was contacted by residents and came out to see the conditions herself.
“When you look at families that have children… rats… mold, roaches,” Matthews said. “At the end of the day, we can’t allow this to continue. Accountability needs to be had.”
Matthews says she reached out to the local city councilwoman. The city confirms an investigation is underway.
Houston Public Works says they’ve received multiple complaints—about rats, trash, and even a floor caving in at one unit. That floor is scheduled to be repaired Friday by contractors. So far, the city has cited the complex for weeds, brush, and trash.
Apartment management has not responded to requests for comment. As for residents, they’re hoping for change—fast.
“Safety for everyone and helping,” said the mother.
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