Residents of the Cullen Park apartments are finally seeing signs of change after complaining to KHOU 11 about rodents, flooding and other safety hazards.
HOUSTON — The property management company that runs a Sunnyside apartment complex is taking action after KHOU 11 reports on multiple problems there.
Residents of the Cullen Park Apartments sent us videos of dozens of rats running rampant in the complex, but that only scratched the surface. They say there have also been plumbing problems, mold and fire hazards.
One mother said the rats got into her children’s bedroom and then plumbing issues forced the family to temporarily move in with relatives.
On Tuesday, KHOU 11 learned that the property management company has fired the on-site manager at the complex.
“One thing about accountability breeds responsibility, and therefore this company is taking full responsibility and full transparency of working in partnership with us to get this done for the best interest of these families and that’s what’s important,” activist Candace Matthews said.
Residents’ cries for help went up the chain to U.S. Congressman Al Green and Houston City Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz.
“I’m very concerned about the rat infestation,” Evans-Shabazz said. “Everyone is entitled to a safe, habitable environment. And what we have seen has been past deplorable.”
Also on Tuesday, state inspectors with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs began checking dozens of the complex’s 250 units.
The property management company said they’ve already begun making repairs. They said it’s up to residents to help keep common areas clean to help keep rodents away.
“You’ve already done seen the bad and the ugly, now we’re in the process of correcting the bad and ugly,” Matthews said.
The activist said she’s meeting privately with the Marquis Group, the management company, on Wednesday.