MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Residents at College Court are suing their landlord, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM).
The class-action lawsuit claims people in College Court are experiencing "uninhabitable" living conditions because of bed bug and rat infestations.
"Willie Hines, I hope you're ready because we will see you in court," tenant Stacy Ream said Wednesday.
It's a strong message from people living in Milwaukee public housing, with the support of local non-profit Common Ground, as they hosted a press conference announcing the suit.
Since summer 2023, Common Ground's team has been in HACM properties, talking with residents, and helping them address concerns with HACM leadership.
"Another instance of Willie Hines and HACM hurting residents physically, emotionally, and socially. Yet another instance of preying on poor people while profiting at their expense. How many of these press conferences do we have to do," Common Ground member, Will Davis, said.
Reporter Jenna Rae was at the press conference Wednesday and has been covering and uncovering issues inside HACM properties for the last year now.
"This is what I'm going through," Carmella Holloway said as she held up a canister of bed bugs. "Bed bugs. I have them. This morning, I picked one out of my ear. I should not have to live like this."
Bed bugs have been a nightmare for residents in nearly every corner of College Court.
"As a child, I heard a nursery rhyme that said 'sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.' Never in my life have I seen a bed bug until I came to College Court," tenant Charlene Bell added.
Concerns residents have been asking HACM to fix for years.
Since 2019, records show hundreds of requests for pest control just at College Court.
"Has anything been done? Nope. That's why we're here today," Ream said.
Ream, Holloway and Bell are three of five College Court residents suing HACM.
"If there's a substantial condition that interferes with the use of premises or the health and safety of tenants, that landlord needs to address it," Michael Cerjak said.
Cerjak's the attorney representing the residents in the class-action suit. He said they're not asking for money.
"If HACM wants to make this case go away, all they have to do is one thing, fix the problem," Cerjak added.
TMJ4 asked Milwaukee's Mayor Cavalier Johnson what he thinks of the lawsuit. He said he wants to see the process play out in court.
Here's what he said when we asked him if he still had confidence in HACM's President, Willie Hines.
"I think we’re moving forward in a positive way over at the housing authority, yes, but among chief our responsibilities at the city level is for the mayor to make appointments to the housing authority board which I have. And for the Common Council to confirm,” Johnson explained.
Johnson also criticized Common Ground's efforts for helping residents calling one of its most recent press releases "Trumpian."
Residents said they're begging for change.
"This is a hell hole. Nobody deserves to live under these circumstances," Ream added.
Rae did request an interview with HACM's President, Hines. He has refused every single interview request over the last year. Today, a spokesperson told us they don't comment on pending litigation.
Watch: HACM residents file suit over living conditions.
Check out Jenna Rae's previous coverage:
- Investigation: Head of housing authority refuses on-camera interview amid Milwaukee's public housing mess
- Folks living in public housing react to new city oversight changes
- 'It's not improving;' Residents frustrated about lack of transparency from top housing authority officials
- Feds require Milwaukee's Housing Authority to outsource one of its largest programs, Section 8 Housing
- Public housing tenants and organizers calling for Housing Authority Director's removal
You can read the full press release and lawsuit below.
HACM Lawsuit Release by TMJ4 News on Scribd
Class Action Lawsuit by TMJ4 News on Scribd
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