Seniors and tenants tell council of mold, infestations and management problems at Wilmington high-rises; council pledges follow-up

Dozens of residents of senior high-rise and other multiunit buildings described persistent mold, bed‑bug infestations, rodents, inadequate maintenance, alleged retaliatory behavior by management and gaps in security during a March 19 Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities Committee meeting.

Public commenters named specific properties and described repeated problems. Shanae Purnell, who identified herself as living in a Wilmington Housing Authority building at Crestview, told the committee she sees “mushrooms growing out the walls” and said L&I (Licenses and Inspections) had visited but the conditions persisted. “Nobody should have to live like that,” Purnell said.

Other residents described similar problems at Luther Towers II, Parkview Apartments and King Plaza. Marjorie Lambert said management at Luther Towers II treats residents with disrespect, cited damaged and stolen belongings after an apartment move, and alleged rules that prevent personal aides from accompanying residents to stores. Marshall Ginn and other residents described short or improper notices for unit entry, poor workmanship from recent renovations, and what they called a double standard in access to the refurbished community room.

Several speakers, including Miriam Larkin (president of the Parkview Residents’ Council), described unclean common areas, broken or missing dryers since a November fire, water leaks that soak mail and repeated plumbing problems that appear to have been patched rather than fixed. “We still don’t have dryers,” Larkin said; she and others urged the city to require timely inspections and consistent maintenance.

Celeste Frasier, a contractor with the State of Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS), said residents with intellectual disabilities at Ingleside Homes on North Franklin Street face recurrent bed‑bug infestations and food-service shortfalls. “They should not have to live in those conditions,” Frasier told the committee and asked for a public-health inspection.

Multiple speakers said they feared retaliation from management when they file complaints. Residents reported receiving seven‑day notices and other warnings after raising concerns. Committee Chair Council Member Coby J. Owens and other council members stressed the need to prevent retaliation and said residents should document complaints; Council President Ernest Congo said the council will pursue follow-up.

Speakers and council members discussed what authorities can and cannot do. Several speakers referenced HUD rules and the Wilmington Housing Authority (WHA); council members clarified the city does not have direct operational control over WHA but can ask WHA leadership to appear before the council and can work with Licenses and Inspections (L&I) on code violations such as mold, leaks and infestations. Council Member Michelle Harley urged the committee to map the different layers of authority—city code enforcement, HUD, state housing agencies and WHA—and pursue the appropriate oversight channels.

Council members committed to additional steps: compiling residents’ complaints, meeting with tenants and organizers, inviting property managers and WHA to discuss complaints and coordinating with L&I and state agencies. Chair Owens said the committee will hold a follow-up meeting and that residents may also submit written complaints or email the committee.

The meeting session closed without immediate enforcement action; council members said they will use the information gathered to explore oversight, possible referrals to L&I and state regulators, and options to protect residents who raise complaints.