x
Breaking News
More () »

Leaks and mold: Problems at new housing authority apartments frustrate neighbors

The property reportedly had issues with construction prior to opening.

TAMPA, Fla. — When Anita Sasser moved into the Tampa Housing Authority’s Tempo at Encore development earlier this year, she thought it would mean an improvement in the quality of her life after living with her daughter. 

However, after dealing with leaky walls and moldy surfaces in a complex that’s less than a year old, the 63-year-old says she is back where she started.  

"I moved in this apartment complex in May of this year, and in June, I started having issues like--it was a leak in the carpet...then I saw a leak in the ceiling...and one of ‘em had some black stuff,” said Sasser. "The ceiling here is wet again, and it looks like mold coming out of it…So, I believe that this reflects what's going on in the insides of the walls.”

Sasser says there was also water damage in the bathroom and lots of mold behind the dishwasher. 

"I just don't need to be in this situation period as far as I'm concerned,” she said. 

Sasser told 10News she started feeling ill, so she got a professional mold test that found hazardous levels of the fungus in her home. 

"I'm tired. I'm tired of going through this. I really am," she said. 

Sasser says workers have come out to address most of the issues, but she's frustrated that the same thing keeps happening. 

The Tampa Housing Authority said property managers have a meeting with Sasser on Wednesday, so they couldn't yet comment on the situation. 

However, problems with this property go back for years. The CEO told us in February the housing authority had to fire one of the contractors for shoddy work.

"Windows not put in properly. It rained, didn't bother to put anything over the windows and all of that raining inside of the building, leaky walls, you name it. It was a mess," said Tampa Housing Authority CEO Jerome Ryans in February. 

"I want to cry. I want to hold out. I want to be strong. It's just so many mixed emotions that's going on inside me,” said Sasser. 

The Housing Authority says it's unclear if the contractor issues are related to the issues inside this apartment, but leaders do say they are in a legal battle over the construction problems. 

Sasser, who lives on a fixed income, says the problems have forced her to move in with her daughter and grandchildren in Riverview.

RELATED: Housing authority believes it found nearly 130 coffins from Tampa’s first Black cemetery

RELATED: TEGNA Foundation donates $30,000 to affordable housing project

What other people are reading right now:

FREE 10NEWS APP:

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter

 

Before You Leave, Check This Out