The city of Flint is assisting a collaborative of local social service agencies that have been activated to help relocate residents of Richfield Court Apartments, where deplorable conditions have sparked a series of legal actions from the city of Flint.
In December, the city of Flint Building and Safety Inspections division ordered four buildings to be demolished and two others were condemned. Conditions have deteriorated rapidly since then in the remaining buildings on the property, and the owners have been reluctant to work with the city of Flint in an effort to safeguard residents living there.
A notice of condemnation for the property was issued on Wednesday Feb. 17. The city of Flint also filed a nuisance complaint and motion for a preliminary restraining order in Genesee Circuit Court in order to force owners to allow the city access to the property to ensure the safety and welfare of residents.
There are an estimated 80 residents living in the apartments, where inspectors have found water flowing down the halls from broken pipes and basements flooded with both water and sometimes sewage.
“Together, we are working with our community partners to assist these families that find themselves in this unfortunate situation through no fault of their own,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “We are aggressively pursuing any and every legal option against the property owners. These bad actors have been an issue for years and we will hold them accountable.”
City of Flint personnel and social service agencies have gone door-to-door at the facility to encourage residents to utilize emergency shelter alternatives. A mobile service center also is being established at Richfield Court Apartments to give residents direct access to services.
The collaboration of service entities working together to provide assistance for families is being led by the United Way and is supported by many other local agencies including Catholic Charities of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties, Flint Housing Commission, Genesee County Youth Corporation Outreach, Genesee Health Systems, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Shelter of Flint.
The out-of-state owner also is also the owner of the Sunset Village Apartments, which were recently condemned.
