HUD meets with Eureka Gardens and Washington Heights residents, promises change

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is promising changes for the people who live in two rundown housing complexes that are owned by the same group blamed for wasting your tax dollars.

Action News Jax has been investigating the problems at Eureka Gardens and Washington Heights since tenants showed us the mold and other dangerous conditions they have been living with for years.

“We’re starting to get a little bit of answers. It’s not what we want, but it’s a start,” said Tracy Grant.

A very slow start, is how Grant describes the needed changes and improvements at Eureka Gardens, a place she has called home for six years.

"It's due time for this property to be remodeled," said Grant.

Mold, gas leaks and old stairwells are just some of the issues Grant and other tenants discussed with HUD leaders Thursday morning inside the community center.

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Our camera was not allowed inside the meeting, but we spoke to HUD leaders afterwards.

"We also made sure that the residents knew that the property is up for sale. We wanted them to hear that from us," said Ed Jennings with HUD.

We first told you about owner Global Ministries putting both Eureka Gardens and Washington Heights up for sale last month, but HUD said there are a lot of things to be fixed before that sale is final.

"When we look at that potential new buyer, we'll make sure that he or she or they have the resources to make that investment, and then we'll hold them accountable to that investment going forward," said Jennings.

Action News Jax: "When it comes to Eureka Gardens, was the ball dropped somewhere down the line?"

HUD:  "The management company and the ownership, has not made the number of investments they needed to make. So I would say, if the ball was dropped, the owner has not invested in the way that we would like."