JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local congressman said multiple people are to blame for the living conditions in Eureka Gardens after meeting with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department on Thursday.
U.S. Rep Ander Crenshaw is questioning how it got so bad at Eureka Gardens, and he said everyone from HUD to the owners are responsible.
Some sweeping changes are on the way to Eureka Gardens after tenants said they have been living in filth for years.
"It's horrible. It's horrible," said Tracy Grant, a tenant at Eureka Gardens.
"It's tragic. It's appalling. It's just unbelievable," said Crenshaw.
Crenshaw said he is shocked about the unsafe and unhealthy living conditions recently discovered in the 400 unit apartment complex.
Eureka Gardens passed a HUD inspection in August with a 85 score.
Action News Jax has been digging on this story for weeks and learned Wednesday that same report was thrown out, because the units weren't inspected properly by HUD's outside contractors.
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"People make errors. We're doing our best working to the best of our ability to correct it," said Alesia Scott-Ford, HUD field director.
But some said it was a costly mistake.
"Not trying to point fingers, but I'm just saying there is plenty blame to go around," said Crenshaw.
The hope is to improve the inspection process, and Crenshaw said the owner needs to repair all of the damage. Tenants said everyone should be blamed for what happened.
"It's all of them, because they all failed. They all failed us," said Grant.
On Thursday, reporters asked Crenshaw if there will be a criminal investigation.
"We're going to wait and see what these infractions are, what needs to be repaired, and then we'll take it from there," said Crenshaw.
But HUD said their team has already found health and safety violations and will have to make changes on their end after the final report comes back.
Tenants said a criminal investigation should be next.
"If you're going to stand up and take ownership, then you need to take ownership and the punishment right along with it," said Grant.
The inspections wrap up Friday. HUD said they'll regroup and meet with tenants at some point next week.
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