HUD and Global Ministries contract ends in March

Action News Jax confirms the contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Global Ministries, the company that owns Eureka Gardens in Jacksonville, will expire in March.

“We need to fix this once and for all,” said Pastor Mark Griffin with Wayman Ministries.

It’s a wish Griffin and the people at Eureka Gardens hope will soon become a reality. Tuesday, several HUD officers stopped by several units at Eureka Gardens. A HUD spokesperson confirms in an email there is a follow up inspection underway at Eureka Gardens. The inspection comes months after both HUD and city leaders, stopped by the complex.

HUD then gave Global Ministries, the company that owns Eureka Gardens, a deadline to meet.

"The reality of it is, there's no way they can fix all this in such a quick fashion," said Pastor Griffin.

Griffin said for years now, people have complained about the living conditions at Eureka Gardens, from rusted stairwells to mold growing inside.

"The mold and the mildew is embedded in the walls and no matter if you paint over them, it's going to come back," said Monalisa Arnold.

Arnold has lived in Eureka Gardens for a while. She said there have been some improvements, but just not enough.

We reached out to Global Ministries about HUD inspecting the complex. A spokesperson sent Action News Jax a statement, that says in part, “GMF is actively working with authorities to ensure Eureka Gardens units meet all property safety and maintenance codes.”

HUD said although the contract ends in March, a final decision has not been made to renew, but if they don’t renew, that means funding will be taken away.

Cox Media Group