Shreveport Gets Tough on Apartments Owners and Helps Residents

SHREVEPORT, LA - Shreveport leaders are working to help residents who are living in deplorable conditions in some local apartment complexes. The city is planning to turn off the water to 3 complexes at the end of this month. Landlords at the Jolie Apartments, The Pines Apartments and Villa Norte Apartments have not been paying the water bill to the city. Water is included in the rental cost for each tennant. Those outstanding bills now total into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The city can no longer let this continue.

Who Is Stepping in to Help?

Community Development Director Bonnie Moore is working with several local agencies and state officials to get all of these residents relocated. But it's taken a major effort. Other landlords have stepped up to offer space while Providence House is coordinating the effort. Several private businesses have also offered help with moving vans and storage units for these residents. The city and private citizens are also pitching in to help pay the cost of moving and relocating for these residents.

What Is Happening Now?

In the meantime, the city is pursuing criminal charges against at least one of the landlords who owns 2 of these complexes for criminal blight. Amar Shreveport Holdings owns Villa Norte Apartments and the Pines Apartments and a legal representative is due in court to face the music. That court hearing is planned for May 28th for arraignment. There will not be a full blown hearing. The company management will have a chance to enter a plea. Moore says we have to do everything possible to make sure these residents have places to live that do not violate city property standards codes.

How Can Residents Get Help?

More urges anyone living in these 3 complexes to call 318 221-7887 to find out what help is available. The City Council is putting up $65,000 to help pay the moving costs and other expenses related to relocations. Moore says "this is one of those situations where we have to step in and protect our citizens."