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9 Investigates deplorable conditions at Windsor Cove apartment complex

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Kelveena Green is one of few tenants who isn't afraid to show 9 Investigates the conditions at Windsor Cove, on Mercy Drive.

Carefully walking through a pool of water, she showed investigative reporter Daralene Jones a leak inside her son's closet. Several buckets catch the water dripping through her ceiling, even leaking into a light bulb.

"I'm swimming in a pool of water every day, and my kids are getting sick," Green said.

Most in the complex fear going on camera but showed Jones patchwork sealing of leaks, peeling paint and melted electrical outlets. And outside, trash is piling up, plastic supplements metal gutters and exposed electrical boxes are feet from where children play.

Photos: Deplorable conditions at Windsor Cove apartments

"I've had mold. I've had electricity problems," said one longtime resident, who didn’t want to show her face.

However, she told Jones she was speaking out in hopes it helps the next tenant who moves in after she leaves.

According to Orange County Property Appraiser records, Global Ministries Foundation bought the complex in 2012 for $9.1 million.

Code Enforcement has logged more than 100 complaints and violations at the Section 8 property, and it's fielding two complaints a day since a sweep in May.

The director of Code Enforcement said that during the sweep he took 10 code officers from other assignments to check on potential violations at the complex.

"This is even more disturbing, because this is theoretically a ministry. The standard that they at least suggest they're holding themselves to, they're obviously not holding themselves to in Orlando," said Code Enforcement Director Mike Rhodes.

Jones took the code violations and complaints to those working inside the leasing office. They refused to explain, kicking Channel 9 off the property and calling Orlando police.

"You've got people with health and safety issues. You don't want to talk about it?" asked Jones.

One employee told Jones to step out of the office and slammed the door.

The Rev. Richard Hamlet runs Global Ministries Foundation, based in Memphis, Tennessee, earning $485,000 a year, according to tax records.

The ministry received $4.7 million in public money through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to subsidize the rent.

Jones reached Hamlet, who acknowledged problems at the complex, which used to be known as The Palms and also faced crime and code issues under the previous management.

"We can't change in two years what 40 years has been out there with delays or maybe things that should've been taken care of. Now it's on my watch, and we're getting it done," Hamlet said.

Hamlet said some of the units have been renovated, and he's put about $1 million into the complex.

However, he said the problems with Windsor Cove stem back decades.

"We're a work in progress, but we will not tolerate that quality, lack of quality, which was observed. We are long-term players in this space, and I demand excellence," he said.

Promises to clean up the property mean nothing to Green, who said she's stuck raising her children in the deplorable conditions because she can't afford to pack up and leave.

"I don't understand why we have to be treated the way we [are] treated just because we are in low-income, HUD or Section 8," Green said.

Hamlet said he met with the city this week to develop a 90-120 day action plan. There is a Code Enforcement hearing scheduled for Aug. 12.

At that time, the city will determine whether the owners and management have made enough progress on about 39 cases they will present to the Code Enforcement Board. If not, the complex could start facing fines.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Housing and Urban Development sent Channel 9 the following statement, which reads, in part:

"There are no sanctions HUD is taking at this time. However, based on the information you brought to our attention, we will be in communication with the contract administrator and the owner for an update on this property.

"Private owners sign a contract with HUD where they commit to offer decent, safe and sanitary housing. Local code enforcement authorities can demand the owners to keep the properties up to standards.

"The owner also selects a management agency for their day-to-day operations. When tenants find an issue that the building administration does not fix, they can report it to the management agency and to local authorities.

"If both instances fail to resolve the issue, they can call HUD's contract administrator, which in this case is North Tampa Development Corporation (1-800-982-5232). They oversee the operation and follow-up with issues raised by the tenants.

"North Tampa Development Corporation informed us that the owner took corrective action for the code violations encountered until June of this year. If the situation is not resolved, tenants can call the Multifamily Housing Complaint Line.

"This is a service that enables residents of HUD-insured and -assisted properties and other community members to report complaints with a property's management concerning matters such as poor maintenance, dangers to health and safety, mismanagement, and fraud. It can be accessed by dialing 1-800-685-8470."