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Freeport resident urges rent moratorium after town-hall reports of mold and poor conditions
Summary
At the Nov. 17 town hall and the Nov. 18 council meeting, resident Manning Rollerson described mold in his home and urged the City of Freeport to impose a rent moratorium and adopt a landlord-tenant policy, saying courts and landlords are not protecting tenants.
During public comment at the City of Freeport council meeting on Nov. 18, resident Manning Rollerson told the council that a Nov. 17 town hall revealed widespread complaints about housing conditions and recounted personal mold problems he said he has reported since 2012. Rollerson said he had submitted photos to the county judge, which the judge referred back to the city, and said he contacted the U.S. Department of Justice because local processes were not protecting tenants.
"We need a moratorium on rent in Freeport," Rollerson said, alleging landlords are taking advantage of low-income tenants and that the court system is not upholding due process.
Council members did not adopt a moratorium during the meeting. The mayor noted the city inspector was scheduled to visit Mr. Rollerson’s residence the following day. No formal motion on landlord-tenant regulation or a moratorium was made at the meeting.
The comment follows other public testimony about property and tax issues and came amid a broader discussion of city services and record-keeping. Council members and staff did not dispute the existence of poor housing claims but did not commit to immediate policy action during this session. The city and county roles in housing code enforcement and any legal remedies were referenced but not changed by the council vote.
The meeting record shows the city plans an inspection and that the county had previously referred the matter back to municipal authorities; next steps would include follow-up from city code enforcement, and any formal policy consideration would require a future agenda item and council action.
