Lafayette Apartment Complex Hit with $30K Fine for Failing to Address Over 100 Violations

Himbola Manor Apartments in Lafayette have been in hot water for quite some time. In July, we reported that residents were 'fed up' with the lack of repairs made to countless units on the property. Now, it seems that Himbola Manor will have to answer to the violations found by the inspectors and the City of Lafayette.

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KLFY reported that Himbola Manor Apartments was fined over $30,000 for the violations found during inspections made on July 30th.

During those inspections, the city found 132 violations and gave Himmbla Manor until August 28th to make repairs. 103 violations remain, with 29 being completely resolved, and 17 partially fixed. However, during the hearing held on August 28th, 123 violations had not addressed.

The mold report alone was 500 pages long and confirmed that 26% of the apartments have 'elevated levels of mold'. Apparently, the complex's attorney was not 'terribly surprised by the report.'

"Unfortunately, those things just take a long time to put together, certainly, the recommendations that are in there, we think are very standard, and we will follow those and get that work done."

As a result of the repairs not being completed in the allotted time, Himbola Manor was fined $32,296.

Another hearing is scheduled for October 2 to review the time frame of when the plumbing issues will be addressed before moving forward with the other violations that need to be addressed.

Original Story

The cost of living in Louisiana has increased over the past few years, and residents all over the state have been feeling the effects of the rising costs. Transportation, food, and housing have all been directly affected by inflation, and all contribute to the higher cost of living.

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Inflation Impacting Lower Income Families In Lafayette

The increase in housing costs drastically affects lower-income families who are working to make ends meet. Many of the families that live at the Himbola Manor Apartments in Lafayette, Louisiana, would not be there if they had more affordable options available to them. Tara Fogleman told News 10 that people who ask why tenants don't relocate have never been in their shoes.

I feel their pain. For anyone who’s listening, who’s never had life throw them a curve ball financially, and feel like, ‘Why haven’t they moved out? They should just move out if it’s this condition," you don’t understand what it feels like then to be so low income, working, keeping your head above water

For years, residents have raised concerns about the 'deplorable' conditions that they are forced to live in. From leaking roofs, to sewage backing up into their bathtubs and flooding their units, tenants say living in the apartments is a 'nightmare'.

'Fed Up' Tenants Protest

KADN 15 reported that protests took place outside the apartments located at 804 Martin Luther King Dr. in Lafayette on Tuesday. ' Fed-up tenants displayed their frustration over living conditions as inspectors surveyed the property.

Lafayette Consolidated Government and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development from Texas were also present on Tuesday to inspect the apartments. There is discussion on whether to perform the necessary maintenance or close the complex down all together.

News 10 spoke to a tenant who said the chief of HUD is looking for 'cases of mismanagement' and is planning to relocate residents to 'nonhazardous locations.'

State representative Tehmi Chassion said this was the second time Lafayette Consolidated Government inspected the property.

And what’s going to occur is, now at this point, whatever wasn’t addressed from the first to the second inspection, that’s going to go to AB court after this point

Lafayette Housing Authority Responds

Community members have asked why our local government has not intervened to ensure that proper repairs and maintenance have been completed.

Officials with the Lafayette Housing Authority say their hands are tied because, technically, both Himbola and Stonegate are not under the housing authority's jurisdiction.

Lydia Bergeron with LHA addressed the issue at a meeting on Monday. "Well, first of all, the two properties that you are discussing are not under Lafayette Housing Authority. “They are HUD-subsidized, multi-family."

According to News 15, State Rep. Chassion plans to meet with LCG again to discuss c and its future.