DETROIT – Residents at The Jeffersonian Apartments on Detroit’s east side near Belle Isle are voicing frustrations over what they describe as unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.
For years, tenants have endured various issues, including frequent power outages, malfunctioning elevators, and unsanitary waste management.
In a video posted to social media, a tenant named Leslie Williams showed the building overflowing garbage bins.
Erika: “Where are the dumpsters at?
Williams: “In the laundry room.”
Williams, 30, has lived in the complex for four years, paying $1,270 monthly.
She claims there are only two dumpsters for the 30-floor building, and trash services often fail to keep up.
The situation worsens when elevators are out of order, leaving garbage inaccessible to collection services.
The elevator outages pose a serious risk to the many seniors living in the building.
One elderly resident was stuck in his apartment for two days due to power failures.
Williams has witnessed others struggling to manage basic tasks like carrying groceries.
“I’ve seen over five elderly people stopping on every floor; they can’t make it,” said Williams.
The complaints extend beyond power and elevator issues.
Williams said management’s neglect has been ongoing as they deal with frequent water and electricity issues, an open security gate, mold, and even sewage problems.
Last year, she said she had “poop water” in her bathtub for two to three days.
“I have lost it,” Williams said. “This week alone, I’ve cried every single day.”
When Local 4 approached management for comment, we were promptly told to leave the property. Management then declined to speak with us on the telephone.
Meanwhile, the city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) have already stepped in.
Detroit Chief Enforcement Officer Arthur Rushin confirmed that the city had issued $6,000 in blight tickets to the property in the past week and promised action on tenant complaints within 48 hours.
“If it’s an emergency, like no power or elevators, we’ll send someone out the same day,” Rushin said.
The city encourages tenants to report unsafe conditions immediately.
For more information on filing a complaint, visit the City of Detroit’s website.
