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Residents report mold, delayed repairs at Walton Trails; council points callers to housing authority and city liaison
Summary
Residents told the Villa Rica City Council on Aug. 12 that repairs at Walton Trails and other rental units have been delayed for months and described mold and health concerns; the mayor said the housing authority operates separately but city hall can help set appointments.
Multiple residents raised housing complaints during public comment at the Villa Rica City Council meeting on Aug. 12, describing delayed repairs, mold concerns and health symptoms in their apartments and urging the council to require relocation or inspections.
Tanya Ross told the council she and her children have faced repeated delays in repairs, described peeling paint and mold in bathtubs and walls, and said she has scheduled a mold inspection. “I just had a repair yesterday, and everything that is listed on here, I have — I can email anybody and show you pictures,” Ross said. She said repair requests were delayed “months” and said children in the unit have been sick.
Alita Farmer said the city has resources, grants and HUD money and urged the council to focus on residents’ needs rather than developers. Pamela White asked whether any city funds were tied to a Ponzi scheme reported in Newnan and requested that the council hold town hall meetings in addition to regular council meetings.
Mayor McPherson responded during the council’s updates that residents with housing authority questions should contact the housing authority office; she said the city can act as a liaison if callers contact city hall but that council appointments to the housing authority do not mean the council runs the authority’s daily operations. “While we do appoint some board members, we don't really handle the housing authority,” she said.
No formal council action was taken on Aug. 12 to require inspections, relocation or enforcement. Speakers said they would pursue documentation and inspections; Ross said she had someone coming to inspect for mold. Council members did not set a timeline for further action during the meeting.
