Tarrant County Acts on Severe Building Deficiencies

The Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office is taking decisive action against Manor Independent Living by moving to terminate its contracts with the senior living community. This decision affects three military veteran tenants who are currently utilizing housing vouchers.

The housing assistance office informed the property ownership of Manor Independent Living on September 29 that they had just 24 hours to address and correct 14 severe deficiencies identified during a comprehensive inspection of the building. These deficiencies include missing smoke detectors, exposed wiring, broken fire doors on every floor, broken or dangling exit signs, a broken elevator, a malfunctioning front door, and a hole in the ceiling of a third-floor electrical room that opens to the sky. Such issues are deemed 'life-threatening' according to guidelines from the U.

S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Wayne Pollard, director of the Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office, noted that contract terminations are rare, recalling only five or six similar actions in his two decades with the office. The decision to terminate the contracts with Manor Independent Living underscores the severity of the safety violations identified.

Among the affected tenants is Johnny Graves, a 76-year-old Army veteran. Graves has reported experiencing leaks and pest issues during his stay at Manor. Additionally, he noted that almost none of the building’s laundry machines are operational, forcing him to walk to a nearby laundromat to wash his clothes.

The housing assistance office also highlighted that a significant number of Manor residents are disabled, further emphasizing the importance of addressing these safety concerns promptly. The termination of contracts with Manor Independent Living reflects the office's commitment to ensuring safe living conditions for its tenants.