A dangerous heat wave, topping daily records in some areas, has spread across the South this summer. And Yazoo County was no exception with heat temperatures over 100 degrees being reported some days.
But for seven families at Shady Lane Apartments, they are all too aware of the dangerous heat levels with their air conditioning units being inoperable since June. Wishing to remain anonymous, these families said their complaints have fallen on deaf ears to the local apartment complex owners, who have not made the necessary repairs.
Those residents also said the apartment owners have also told them that they could not install their own private window units “for liability” issues.
Supervisor Cobie Collins told The Herald that he and a few other county officials have attempted to assist those residents with relief efforts during the massive heat wave. But, they too, have faced resistance with the apartment owners.
“One lady at Shady Lane was pregnant with four children inside her apartment,” Collins said. “The owners have fixed the air conditioning, but it took at least 90 days to do. No one, regardless of their economic situation, should have to live like this.”
The pregnant woman’s family also stepped in to assist, fearing she might endure a miscarriage with the high temperatures.
“Frustrated, I called Mr. Collins on June 21 because I was scared that she might have a miscarriage in this heat,” said Ukila Collum. “They eventually did fix her air conditioning, but something is wrong because water is filling up in her home. She has had to mop up a lot of water in her home since they have fixed it.”
According to the tax records, Shady Lane Apartments is owned by Shady Lane Group LP. The local apartment complex does not fall under the local Housing Authority. The registered agent with the owner, which is based in Madison, is Robert King. In working with the Yazoo County Tax Assessor’s office, King reported to county officials the yearly maintenance budget for the complex is $87,483.
Collum said some residents repair the units at their own expense, usually ranging about $700 out of their pockets. She also added that the apartment residents are falling victim to the apartment owners when it comes time for the annual HUD inspection.
“When HUD comes through for their yearly inspection, they make everybody take their units out for the inspection,” she said. “Once they get through the HUD inspection, they took the parts back off, leaving them without air.”
Collins said the families suffering are young mothers, all with four to five children.
“All seven families said they were told there would be no available time to tell them when their air would be fixed,” Collins said. “And many of these families don’t have the money to purchase their own window units.”
Collins said he and Emergency Management Director Jack Willingham worked out funding to purchase and install some window units.
“I was going to purchase one myself for the families,” Collins said. “But then we were told if we installed the units in their windows, liability would fall on us and that we couldn’t do it.”
Many of the apartment residents declined to be identified for fear of retaliation.
“I don’t care if my identity is shared,” Collins said. “I don’t mind speaking up for them. All they have is shelter over their heads at this point. When somebody can’t speak for themselves, we are obligated to speak for them.”
Collins said he has reached out to HUD and higher powers to correct the situation. As of press time, he said he is still waiting but hopeful.
“When you have families with government assistance attached to them, it is easy to forget their situation,” Collum said. “But I feel like you can’t just treat people any kind of way.”
