Woodview Housing issues coming to a boil

May 12, 2016

By Tony Pearson

Opinions continue to flow back and forth in the suddenly spotlighted Woodview Public Housing development. Meanwhile, the principal players – the property manager, the county supervisor, and the chair of the recently resigned board of the complex – continue to maintain their silence.

As reported last week in Bancroft This Week, there is no unanimity of opinion. I talked to residents who felt they were neglected and disrespected by management. On the other hand, the president of the Tenants Association feels too much blame is being heaped on the project’s administrator, and that new solutions are needed for some of the basic problems.

Everyone seems to agree that mould is a pervasive presence in many of the housing units. One resident told me that it had spread from the bathroom (through calking on the tub, and from behind the tiles) to her family’s clothing. Another said that it had spread throughout the entire second level of her unit.

Other complaints were that inspections following complaints about the need for repairs were way behind schedule. Mentioned in addition to mould were pressure cracks, furnace malfunctions, and holes in the flooring, as well as damage to exterior panelling. Also raised were questions about the security of the complex – such as whether enough was being done to identify theft (like stolen bikes), and to keep drug dealers out of the area. Some felt that the actual amount of time spent on the administration of property repairs and improvements was far less than it should be.

Overall, there seemed to be a sense that management was not as present or responsive to service requests as residents would like. There were also complaints of demeaning or disparaging comments during annual inspections.

However, tenant association president Sharon McCullough traced many of the current problems back to an oil spill a couple of years ago, caused by children playing in one of the units. She went on to remove the property manager from the line of fire when it was suggested that he be replaced with one of the property managers in Colorado Springs who would be moving to the local area: “As our tenant association president since 2007, I’ve worked with the property manager on numerous issues and projects, seen him deal with all manner of problems and face every one with professionalism, compassion, and dedication.”

McCullough went on to identify additional issues which she hoped would be addressed during the current county review of Woodview: “We should be leaders in affordable housing. More affordable housing is desperately needed. We also need tiny house communities with large garden plots, and more clean energy innovation.”

Once again, there is bound to be more to come.