“These folks are not being treated with dignity and respect whatsoever.” says Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico. He states “It’s just disgusting behavior on these landlords' parts, and we’re fed up with it, and we’re dealing with it now.”
Pacifico describing conditions as “deplorable.” He says they are looking to see if these circumstances are worth pressing criminal charges against the landlords.
The first house in Altoona's ‘operation safe space’ being marked less than a month ago. Notice signs posted on its front door, letting landlords know it's time to get some structural issues fixed. Reports include raw sewage in the basement rats and mice regularly visible peeling plaster of the walls plus water and electrical issues.
Action program director, Christine Zernick says without action taken people would be left sleeping on the streets while homes are being repaired. “We are not going to allow red-tagged properties to be available for people to live in, because it’s not suitable for them.” says Zernick.
Codes and inspections director, Rebecca Brown, says tenants are being temporarily housed while issues are fixed. “We wanted to make sure the occupants were removed from that structure, knowing that the violations were present, and they weren't going to be corrected in any short time period. We wanted to make sure that they were relocated to safe and secure housing.” says Brown.
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