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Residents tell council mold and failing elevators at Hickory View apartments are harming health; city pledges investigation
Summary
Tenants and advocates urged the council to act after reports of black mold, elevator failures and health problems at Hickory View Apartments; city staff said there is no specific mold ordinance but code enforcement will investigate causes such as wet conditions.
Several residents and community advocates used the public-comment period to urge city action on mold, building deterioration and tenant health at Hickory View Apartments and other North Little Rock properties.
Harry Temple, who identified himself as president of ACO for North Little Rock, told the council he had distributed mold-test samples and raised alarms about tenant health. “We have actually had 5 people die from our council from mold poisoning,” Temple said, describing what he called widespread mold problems at multiple properties and saying he had been directed by health officials to pursue legal remedies.
A public commenter identified as Hetty (speaker 13) and Celestia Harris, who said she has lived at Hickory View for 15 years, described ongoing building failures. Harris said the building’s elevators frequently stop working and that inspectors found black mold in her unit, which she said worsens her asthma and daily pain: “I have black mold there, and it's affecting my breathing, my health,” she said.
City staff responding in the meeting said the city does not have a specific ordinance that mentions mold, but it enforces code violations that cause mold. “City doesn't exactly have an ordinance for mold, but it does have an ordinance against the cause of mold, which is normally a wet condition,” the staff member said, and staff indicated they would investigate the cause of the mold on site and take appropriate steps. The chair also suggested exploring legal action and housing vouchers in severe cases.
Why it matters: Tenants’ health complaints and building-system failures — elevators and roof issues — affect residents’ safety and habitability. Public commenters asked the council to adopt stronger local tools to hold property owners accountable.
What’s next: Council asked staff to investigate code enforcement options, determine building ownership and pursue legal or administrative remedies if necessary; staff said they will follow up with the ward council member and report back on findings and potential actions.
