LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) held a Resident Engagement Kickoff event at Liberty Green on Thursday where residents could come to ask questions about LMHA.
This event came after they officially took over management of the property at the beginning of November.
Some tenants already feel more acknowledged by the new team compared to the previous owners, the Ludwig Company.
Liberty Green Resident Council President Stacee Spurling pointed out the improved communication.
"They are really listening to us," said Spurling. "I'm ready and willing and know that they're going to do great things because I'm seeing the step. They're hearing us."
The council was formed about a year ago to give residents a voice and to try and address maintenance issues. Spurling said residents were struggling with mold, trash everywhere, cracks in the walls, infestations, trespassing houseless people and more.
Spurling said people were getting sick, and with poor lighting outside, were scared to go outdoors.
LMHA got to work on making improvements in September Spurling said. The council asked for the new management to take care of things like lighting.
"Then, I saw that following week, those lights come, I'm like, 'Oh my God. This is getting done.'" said Spurling. "This is something, a light at the end of the tunnel. It's just the beginning."
Taneshia Calendar has lived in Liberty Green for about six years. She has seen some improvements, but knows there's a long list of things LMHA has to work on.
"With the new management in, they were, 20 minutes tops is what I was waiting, and that is a first in six years," said Calendar when referencing calling LMHA.
She's concerned about her safety for herself and as a mother. With nearby shootings and run-ins with the houseless, she wants more security presence.
"Why are you going down your stairs when there's somebody laying there? An unknown man just laying out," said Calendar. "How do you feel safe coming down the stairs with your kids or by yourself?"
Calendar also mentioned adding a playground for kids to go to, and adding more cameras around the property.
"I would be more than thrilled to see my community thrive and to make those changes for the community," said Calendar.
LMHA executive director Elizabeth Strojan said the residents asked for the housing authority to take over management.
"We had to talk about what's our capacity," said Stojan. "What can we do here? And we decided that we thought that we could do the best job here."
LMHA has started making repairs like fixing outdoor lighting and trimming trees and bushes. Strojan described it as "cleaning things up. The kind of low hanging fruit residences have been asking for. We were able to knock that out pretty quickly."
When it comes to concerns like mold, Strojan said residents should contact LMHA as soon as possible.
"We take that very seriously," said Strojan. "That's a life safety concern."
LMHA is working on catching the property up on its paperwork and is looking to do needed work on the building and units.
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