ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering terminating all future contracts with Millenna Housing Management for the next five years, the owner of the troubled Forest Cove Apartments.
This announcement follows Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' recent call for the permanent demolition of the problematic property.
Former resident Madrika Gray, who lived at Forest Cove for nearly 12 years, spoke with 11Alive, shedding light on the nightmarish conditions she faced, including issues such as mold, rodents and crumbling infrastructure.
"It's hard when people feel like they don't own anything or are entitled to a certain situation. They don't have a voice," Gray expressed, detailing the challenges faced by residents who felt marginalized due to the property's deteriorating conditions.
Gray, who moved to a home in Lithonia after leaving Forest Cove in September 2022, shared her relief and newfound peace in her current surroundings. She emphasized the stark contrast between the peacefulness of her Lithonia home and the struggles she and her neighbors endured at Forest Cove.
"Generations and generations were basically taken for granted, like at the hands of robbers," Gray lamented, echoing the sentiment of many former residents who still seek accountability for their suffering.
Mayor Andre Dickens has intensified the pressure on Millennia Housing Management, calling for the complete destruction of Forest Cove. HUD issued a statement that said in part:
“At the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban (HUD), we are committed to ensuring that people living in HUD-assisted housing have safe, decent homes and that our property owners manage assets responsibly in accordance with our rules. That includes both financial management and property conditions.
“HUD found that Millennia Housing Management exercised financial mismanagement of tenant security deposit accounts and taxpayer funds providing housing assistance. As a result, HUD is holding them accountable by demanding repayment of misappropriated funds, seeking to impose civil money penalties on those responsible, and issuing a suspension and proposing debarment. That means the company and its President are immediately prohibited from entering into new business with any federal government agency, including HUD, and HUD is taking steps to bar Millennia CEO Frank T. Sinito and the Millennia Housing Management from all federal government programs, including the Section 8 program, for five years.
“HUD has informed Millennia Housing Management that the agency expects to see any repairs or maintenance issues addressed at currently owned properties promptly and the suspension and proposed debarment does not impact those repair and maintenance issues directly. HUD will continue to monitor the Millenia properties and will address any areas of noncompliance.
“This action does not affect tenants and residents living at properties currently owned by Millenia Housing Management. However, HUD will continue to actively monitor all properties owned or managed by Millennia. Residents are encouraged to contact their state’s Performance-Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) with any questions or concerns that they believe are not being adequately addressed by management. If the PBCA cannot address their concerns, they should contact the assigned HUD Account Executive or HUD’s Multifamily Housing Complaint Line for further assistance. ”
Madrika Gray sees this as a positive first step toward justice.
"You give the peace of mind to be able to find the peace of mind. So that's the best part," she remarked, expressing her desire to move on from the traumatic experiences at Forest Cove.
Gray remains in contact with other former neighbors who are still struggling to rebuild their lives after leaving Forest Cove. While hopeful for positive changes, she emphasizes the need for more comprehensive actions to hold the company accountable for the mismanagement of the property.
Ethan Handelman, the deputy assistant secretary for multifamily housing programs for the U.S. HUD, said in a statement:
“At the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban (HUD), we are committed to ensuring that people living in HUD-assisted housing have safe, decent homes and that our property owners manage assets responsibly in accordance with our rules. That includes both financial management and property conditions.
“HUD found that Millennia Housing Management exercised financial mismanagement of tenant security deposit accounts and taxpayer funds providing housing assistance. As a result, HUD is holding them accountable by demanding repayment of misappropriated funds, seeking to impose civil money penalties on those responsible, and issuing a suspension and proposing debarment. That means the company and its President are immediately prohibited from entering into new business with any federal government agency, including HUD, and HUD is taking steps to bar Millennia CEO Frank T. Sinito and the Millennia Housing Management from all federal government programs, including the Section 8 program, for five years.
“HUD has informed Millennia Housing Management that the agency expects to see any repairs or maintenance issues addressed at currently owned properties promptly and the suspension and proposed debarment does not impact those repair and maintenance issues directly. HUD will continue to monitor the Millenia properties and will address any areas of noncompliance.
“This action does not affect tenants and residents living at properties currently owned by Millenia Housing Management. However, HUD will continue to actively monitor all properties owned or managed by Millennia. Residents are encouraged to contact their state’s Performance-Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) with any questions or concerns that they believe are not being adequately addressed by management. If the PBCA cannot address their concerns, they should contact the assigned HUD Account Executive or HUD’s Multifamily Housing Complaint Line for further assistance. ”
A spokesperson for Millennia Housing Management sent the following statement to 11Alive:
"Millennia is aware of HUD’s concerns and has taken actions to address them while supporting a business model through increasingly challenging economic conditions. While Millennia understands the significance of HUD’s concerns, Millennia has not been debarred, and it is important to note that there is currently only a suspension, specifically from new business.
Millennia holds a 30-year legacy of providing services to residents in historically neglected communities. Given the company’s three-decades-long partnership with HUD, Millennia is disappointed by the public statement.
In the face of present difficulties, Millennia remains steadfast in its fundamental commitment to delivering quality affordable housing and is dedicated to actively resolving and rectifying all matters with HUD."