Judge Steps in to Force Mold Repairs in NY Public Housing
When federal Judge William H. Pauley found out New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) officials were not giving proper attention to mold treatment in public housing, he appointed a monitor to oversee the work and ensure the root cause of the mold is addressed. Judge Pauley said officials were jeopardizing the health and public welfare of NYCHA residents.
Mold is a widespread problem
Over 300 housing projects are known to have mold issues, many due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Residents complained about the shoddy workmanship being done. They said workers were just scraping off visible mold and painting over the affected area. Judge Pauley’s decree should ensure the housing units receive proper mold treatment going forward.
NYCHA sued over mold
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice along with environment group The Natural Resources Defense Council filed a class-action suit against the city back in 2013.
Many occupants of NYCHA were experiencing health issues like asthma due to breathing mold spores. The Housing Authority quickly settled the suit and said it would complete needed repairs within 15 days of any work order.
Judge Pauley issued his ruling because officials were extending repair timelines and not providing proper mold treatment. Mold also came back in about 41 percent of the areas treated by the Housing Authority because workers were not eliminating the moisture source that was feeding mold colonies.
Landlords must take mold seriously
Mold can lead to serious health problems for some people. To protect your tenants’ health and yourself from lawsuits, choose Stern Mold for your mold treatment. We use the cost-effective MoldExterm method for thorough treatment with minimal downtime for you.