Tenants, nonprofit and owner spar over living conditions at Paces Run apartments

Residents of Paces Run told Aiken City Council on Aug. 25 that chronic maintenance problems — leaking roofs, holes in floors, faulty plumbing and mold — have persisted for years and have caused health problems for children and adults.

At a public‑comment segment devoted to non‑agenda items, several tenants described repeated, unresolved repair requests and said property managers had not completed required inspections. “We deserve dignity. We deserve to be heard. We deserve safety and health,” said Sierra Simpkins, who identified herself as a Paces Run resident and said her young son has asthma.

Donna Westby, CEO and co‑founder of the nonprofit Umuja Village, described videos, photographs and logs she provided to city staff and to the apartment owner’s representatives documenting raw sewage in units, longstanding roof leaks and other conditions. Westby said some residents lack written leases and that she had received a threat of law‑enforcement action when visiting the property on behalf of tenants.

Clark McCants, an attorney who said he represents the apartment owner, urged tenants to submit complaints in writing and to meet with the owner’s representatives. “HUD requires that complaints be put in writing,” McCants said, and he offered to host written submissions and follow‑up meetings at his office. He said many issues arise from unauthorized occupants and situations that complicate repairs.

Council members and staff asked tenants to file complaints directly with the city’s property‑code office so inspections can be scheduled. Sabina Craig of the city’s neighborhood services team was identified as a staff contact; the city’s property‑code phone number (803‑642‑7675) and the Aiken Explorer/Citi app were cited as reporting options. City Manager Stuart said code enforcement and health authorities could be engaged once formal complaints are received.

Several tenant speakers said they had tried code enforcement and received no effective response. A lawyer representing the owner said he had invited community leaders to provide complaints in writing earlier in the month and that owner representatives were ready to meet. Donna Westby said she had sent a five‑page letter to the owner and city staff on July 30 documenting issues and had not yet received a substantive reply. Council members encouraged tenants to assemble lease copies, photographs and repair logs before the meetings with the owner’s counsel.

The council did not take formal action on Paces Run at the meeting. Staff said the appropriate next step for affected residents is to file an individual code‑enforcement complaint so inspectors can document violations and begin the notice‑and‑remedy process under city code.