STUART, Fla. -- Change is coming for residents of Astorwood in Stuart, but some residents say it’s not coming fast enough.
Danger signs were posted on all of the buildings in the apartment complex in October because of nearly two dozen code violations.
Those violations range from mold and rodents, to structural issues and faulty air conditioning units.
Now, the Stuart City Attorney says the city and Astorwood representatives have reached an agreement for Astorwood to correct all of the violations within 24 months.
The consent agreement will hold Astorwood’s management accountable to make the repairs.
Resident Lula Calderon says she has been living with code violations for nearly a year.
“The mold, the bathroom floor is caving in…It’s terrible. It’s terrible. It’s really terrible.”
Resident Rich Youst says he is living with rats in the attic.
But, he’s also one of few residents who have slowly started seeing repairs to his home.
A city spokesperson says Astorwood’s management has obtained permits for new roofs and Air Conditioning units for the apartments.
Youst says his roof has already been replaced.
There has also been some outside maintenance, mainly cosmetic landscaping.
“But you live inside. They need to come inside and fix stuff,” said Calderon.
Aside from new roofs and A/C units, repairs will be prioritized for buildings with the most violations and issues.
Calderon still is not sure what where that leaves her home on the repair list.
“You’ve got to live like this until they get to you, even if it’s next year,”
The repair plan did not come fast enough to prevent some residents from moving out.
Others were given eviction notices for refusing to pay rent while their home was labeled ‘dangerous’.
Youst collected signatures from residents in the complex, looking for an attorney who will represent them. Youst wants to sue Astorwood for allegedly putting residents’ health at risk by exposing them to black mold.
No attorneys have been willing to take the case, Youst says.
