TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Residents forced out of a Titusville apartment complex after Hurricane Matthew hit took their concerns Wednesday night to the City Council.
The property managers said construction on a new roof could take up to six months and some families still have yet to completely move out.
9 Investigates discovered the owners already owed millions of dollars in code enforcement fines before the storm hit.
The city said the building is still uninhabitable, which means people can't live there until repairs are made.
“I will still be stranded. I will have nowhere to go,” said resident Felicia Maner.
Maner was one of many who spoke out during two hours of public comment at the Titusville City Council meeting about conditions at the Blue Beach Club apartments, also known as Bay Towers.
The roof was damaged over the weekend, leaving the complex uninhabitable and 70 families homeless.
The property manager, Tammy Pepper, became emotional telling city leaders she's doing all she can to help every family.
She also announced repairs will take from six weeks to six months, and all tenants should be looking for a new permanent home.
"This is my building. I’m responsible for it. I’m responsible for my tenants,” said Pepper.
One council member proposed emergency funding to pay for 50 motel rooms for three days but that went nowhere.
Leaders then said the city will reach out to charities and churches to help the now homeless families.
"I do not feel like anything was resolved from this meeting," Maner said.
Maner, who was evacuated from the building, is still being helped by good Samaritans after she and her children were found on the side of the road.
The property owners failed to show up to the meeting.
A temporary roof was installed in 2014.
It's still unclear why a permit wasn't filed for a permanent fix.
The city said residents have filled out Section 8 applications and leaders are waiting to see if FEMA will assist.
But that will take time and many residents still don't know where they'll be after Thursday.
Cox Media Group
