Greenspoint flooding victims voice their frustrations

Activists, senator call for forgiving one month’s rent

Frustrated Greenspoint residents who are still living in apartments flooded on April 18 gathered Saturday to take their mounting frustrations public.

Tenants remaining in units that have seen few repairs stepped before media to express their concerns — namely the looming due date for rent.

Residents and community organizers say some property owners threatened to impose late fees on May rent not paid on time and to evict people who don’t – or can’t – pay.

Their list of demands for landlords includes waived May rent; solid timetables for repairs; no penalties for move-outs, including returning security deposits; no evictions and no cars towed before June 1.

State. Sen. Rodney Ellis joined tenants and advocates outside The Woods of Greenbriar, a complex of more than 170 units in the 900 block of Greens Road, to encourage landlords to waive May rent.

‘I’m doing my part’

Narinder Nagra, who owns the complex, emerged to speak on behalf of property owners and managers who have agreed to give tenants 25 percent off May rents. He said he has 86 first-floor units that flooded and has spent more than $70,000 on repairs.

“I’m doing my part,” he said. “If still they want to leave … they are free to leave. They have no obligation against the lease.”

Nagra said most residents want to stay and that he intends to have all sodden Sheetrock torn out by Sunday morning.

Tenant Lakisha Kennedy said management changed its tune when it got wind of the media.

“Of course they’re going to, today, say: Oh you can break your lease and we’re not hold it against you,” the 39-year-old said.

The condition of sodden first-floor units, from which some residents had to be rescued by boat, added to mounting concerns about living amid mold and mildew.

Kennedy said her sons, ages 7 and 18, have developed upper respiratory problems. Sheetrock on the damp walls of their lower-level, two-bedroom unit had not been taken out as of Saturday afternoon. The family plans to find another home.

The Texas Organizing Project, the nonprofit that organized Saturday’s event, has been canvassing Greenspoint apartments and offering assistance for nearly two weeks, said TOP’s Harris County director Tarsha Jackson.

A few hours after the news conference, city housing department officials showed up and placed several families in hotels, including the Kennedy family.

‘Totally reasonable’

Recovery from the floods has been challenging for many. Some lost their cars to floodwaters and haven’t been able to work, which means they have fewer financial re- sources to address increasing expenses. Some have additional medical needs created by the emergency.

Ellis, who is running for Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner, implored property owners to go further than a discount.

“It is totally reasonable to ask the landlords to give one month free rent, because there is nothing that they could do with the unit I just left and most of these units while they’re being repaired,” the state senator said. “If these great folks were not in these units, they wouldn’t make a dime. The units would be empty.”

The Houston Apartment Association is offering guidance for landlords and tenants who are dealing with flooded apartments. “The law says that if a unit is ‘totally unus- able,’ then either party to the lease can terminate the agreement,” spokesman Andy Teas said. “The law also says the owner has responsibility to refund pro-rated rent in the event that the unit is partially unusable. ... That’s where you get into what’s going on in Greenspoint.”

Another first-floor resident at The Woods of Greenbriar, Anna Parker, said Sheetrock removal on her unit started on Friday, but not before she began feeling ill.

“I have a heart condition,” the 57-year-old said. “I told my husband I was getting sick to my stomach and things like that, so went to my sister’s house … because I couldn’t inhale the mold and mildew.” cindy.george@chron.com twitter.com/cindylgeorge