WASHINGTON — A woman in Southeast D.C., tells WUSA9 she developed a respiratory disease because of her living conditions.
Vennetta Hamilton says she has been reaching out to her landlord for years but, conditions just keep worsening and repairs keep piling up.
Hamilton has been living at Orchard Park Apartments since 2008. She says that she has dealt with minor maintenance issues here and there but nothing as worse as her current conditions.
The conditions have gotten so bad Hamilton claims she has been living in her car since October 17 because her apartment is unlivable.
WUSA9 cameras captured her floor covered in mold and water damage from a flood, she said happened two weeks ago.
In 2016 she was diagnosed with reactive airway disease. She went back to the hospital on October 15, and her symptoms are getting worse.
“Mushrooms eventually grew in our walls. Outside of our walls. Which should have never happened or occurred,” Hamilton said.
The Department of Buildings issued a notice of infraction on Oct. 20 for:
- Failure to maintain interior structure
- cracked wood,
- water damage
- defective conditions
- failure to maintain stairs and other walking surfaces in sound condition, among others
Hamilton says she can’t afford to move and is just hoping repairs can be done so she can sleep in her home again.
“I’m not here to impose, squat or mooch, I just need the help that I need to get back on my feet and I want to feel comfortable knowing the help is going to come,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton believes another one of the units is the root of the problem. She says the mold from one of the rooms spreads to other units and other people are likely dealing with the same issues.
WUSA9 reached out to Faria Management, the company that owns Orchard Park Apartments but has not heard back.
In the meantime, Hamilton has started a GoFundMe in hopes of raising money to help with living expenses.
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