Tenants press Newark officials over mold, elevators and security at New Community senior buildings; council schedules follow‑ups

Residents of several New Community senior buildings told the City Council they are living with persistent maintenance problems — including mold in apartments, malfunctioning elevators, pest infestations and security concerns — and asked the city to require faster, more complete repairs and clearer communications from management.

About a dozen residents spoke in a series of public comments focused on New Community properties, naming specific sites (including 140 and 180 South Orange Avenue and 516 Bergen Street) and describing ongoing indoor air and infrastructure issues. Tenants said earlier promises of repairs had not been completed and that some fixes were only cosmetic.

Why it matters: Older apartment buildings can pose health risks if leaks and mold are not remediated; seniors and people with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable. Housing management and municipal oversight affect both residents’ living conditions and the city’s obligations under housing and health codes.

Multiple residents described the same pattern: management or contractors visit and perform a short‑term cosmetic repair, but mold and water intrusion return. Darlene Davis, a tenant and tenant‑association leader, said, “The mold is so bad. I have a lung problem, and the stuff has took in my breath, got me sore throat…The elevators they still jumping.” Darnella Lee told the council that inspections in 2021 had identified mold and that residents continue to see reappearing contamination.

Other tenants raised safety concerns. Sharon Bell described security staff who “stand outside, they smoke, they laugh…then when they have to come inside and sign somebody in, they have an attitude.” Several speakers reported bed‑bug infestations and alleged inspections were being skipped or incomplete.

Council response and next steps: Councilwoman Scott Rountree said she had already scheduled spot‑check meetings with New Community staff and would convene a series of follow‑up meetings. Rountree told the chamber she had asked the provider and housing team to deliver a report and set deadlines and that the council would hold a community meeting in mid‑August to review progress. “Between July 9 and July 16…we’re doing a community meeting with the team and the community,” she said.

Councilman George Tillman Jr. urged a broader approach: he said the planned multi‑million‑dollar new construction across the street increases urgency for capital improvements inside existing senior projects. Other council members said staff would pursue documentation and press management for required long‑term capital work rather than temporary fixes.

What residents want: Tenants asked for thorough mold remediation (not surface painting), clearer scheduling and access policies so exterminators and repair crews can enter apartments, improved elevator reliability and camera coverage, and a standing channel of communication between council offices, the housing authority and building management.

Administration response: City staff and council offices confirmed they will document outstanding cases and continue to press for timely, verifiable repairs; council members asked for written follow‑up from the management company and additional spot inspections by city inspectors.

Sources and quotes: On‑the‑record testimony from Darnella Lee, Sharon Bell, Darlene Davis, Bobby Wynn and others; Councilwoman Scott Rountree (who organized follow‑up spot checks).