MEMPHIS, Tenn. — WREG has learned that two troubled apartment complexes have once again failed federal inspections.
Scores recently updated online by HUD show a 52 for Warren-Tulane. That marked the second failing score for the complexes in 2015.
Records show an inspection score of 65 released in February of 2015 but a 50 from May 2015 (scores below 60 are considered failing).
Warren and Tulane are owned by the nonprofit Global Ministries Foundation, which has come under fire over the past year after tenants and lawmakers complained about living conditions.
LEDIC is the company that manages the property. WREG was unable to reach either company by phone.
GMF President and CEO Richard Hamlet responded to emails from the On Your Side Investigators. He claimed the scores for Warren and Tulane aren’t final because they’re still appealing.
“The most recent HUD inspection for Warren Tulane is now under appeal,” he said. “No HUD score is official until appeals are reviewed by HUD, at which time a final inspection score is posted. We expect the official score by the end of the month.”
He also added, “We have spent large dollars on improvements the past several months at these properties to improve things.”
However, WREG spoke directly with HUD and obtained documents that reveal the score of 52 is final.
According to the records, HUD released the inspection on November 2. Attorneys for GMF submitted a letter on December 2 requesting a review.
The letter goes on to state that no adjustments were made to the score. It reads, “This letter concludes the REAC’s Technical Review/Database Adjustment process. The physical inspection score shown above is the final score.”
The letter dated December 21 shows:
Original Physical Inspection Score: 52
Revised Physical Inspection Score: 52
The most recent inspection score for Goodwill Villages is 78.
In addition to residents’ complaints about living conditions at GMF properties, they’ve also raised concerns about safety.
The news about the failing inspection score comes just days after a double fatality at Tulane.
After the deadly shooting, WREG confirmed with LEDIC that its security guards had gone home for the day and weren’t on the property when the shooting occurred. It said it beefed up security after the incident.
Hamlet said in the email when asked about the shootings, “The shooting was unfortunate, as all the other shootings in Memphis over the past week in different locales. We love all our residents and want to improve the quality of their housing.”
He also added they pay “much more for security costs” than other similar HUD properties.
There have been reports about HUD OIG investigating GMF. Hamlet wouldn’t comment other than to say they always “fully cooperate” with HUD.
There have been a number of reports about complaints at other GMF properties across the country including Atlanta, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. Hamlet said they’re also making improvements in Jacksonville.
The Shelby County Commission recently considered requesting that GMF’s HUD funding be cut off, but it gave the group 60 days to make additional improvements.
