Navasota Landing residents seek answers

Residents of Navasota Landing Apartments, 520 Laredo Street, are concerned they may be displaced due to reports of a recent foreclosure.

Lorene Brown has resided at Navasota Landing for almost 19 years. Brown said another resident in the complex stated she received a call Monday, Jan. 24, saying the apartments are going to be foreclosed on. That sparked concern for Brown, so she called Michelle Ross, a loan specialist with Multi Family Housing, Rural Development to hear for herself.

"When I called I was told the same thing, the apartment was going to be foreclosed on," said Brown. "She [Ross] said when we move we will be given vouchers, but they never said when we w ill have to move or how much the voucher was going to be, or when we were going to get the voucher." The Examiner reached out to Ross for comment but didn't hear back by press deadline.

"People here were wondering where they are going to go. A lot of the residents are elderly and don't have trans portation to get around and many have to pay someone to take them where they need to go," explained Brown.

Navasota Landing is a 40-unit complex with 80 bedrooms. Brown said a representative fi"om USDA Rural Development met with residents Thursday, Jan. 27.

A spokesperson from US­ DA submitted the following response to The Examiner via email:

"The mission of U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Housing Programs is to ensure that all people, regardless of zip code, have an affordable place to call home. COVID-19 has put many renters and rental prop-erty owners across the country under increased financial stress.

This property is not in foreclosure. Tenants are not in danger of being evicted. USDA will continue to uphold our mission to the tenants of this community. Tenants can expect written communication in the coming days to clarify the status of the property. It is USDA's understanding the property owner is engaged in negotiations with a new management company.

USDA will continue to be a strong partner to the people living at Navasota Landing as they navigate challenges brought on by the CO VID-19 pandemic."

Brown said during the meeting the representative stated residents are safe for now and do not have to move. "He [USDA Representative] said if we have to move we will be given a voucher for a year."

Another cause of concern for residents is the units are not being maintained. Brown received a letter in November stating, "Effective 11130/2021, Eagle Creek 11anagernentno longerserves as Management Agent for Navasota Landing Apartments." The letter viewed by The Examiner stated residents needed to direct questions or concerns to Michelle Ross.

"We haven't had a manager here since November," explained Ross. "No one has even come to collect the rent or anything. A lot of apartments here need work. Some of them have water leaks in them. We don't have a maintenance man and haven't had one since I don't know when."

Brown said residents at the complex are just trying to maintain and want to ensure they don't lose their housing. She, as well as other residents are hoping the apartments receive maintenance so they can have a better quality oflife.