Following up on the recents inspections done by the Fairfax County Fire Marshall (who found over 600 fire and safety violations) and the Fairfax County agencies responsible for building code enforcement, Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross and the Fire Marshall visited the Vista Gardens Apartments complex on a beautiful Mothers Day afternoon.
Supervisor Gross was joined by Fr. Tuck Grinnell, Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, and Fr. Jorge Acho, who have been working with the tenants; Saint Anthony parishioners; tenants of Vista Gardens; and members of V.O.I.C.E. (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement).
After walking to the complex and visiting several apartments, Supervisor Gross reported that she continues to be concerned by the terrible conditions that the tenants in these market rate apartments are forced to live in due to a long-term lack of maintenance. Many residents have lived there 10 to 15 years without any significant maintenance done to their apartments in spite of requests.
The residents of the apartments are doing their best to maintain the units as cleanly and neatly as they can, but the lack of basic maintenance by the management makes this difficult. As one tenant noted to Supervisor Gross, her work is cleaning homes so she knows how to clean; it's just that when there are holes in the wall, broken cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures that haven't been fixed or replaced in decades, and mold and bugs coming through cracks in the ceiling it is difficult to do that in her own home.
In answer to one question about the lack of screens on windows, Supervisor Gross noted that the property manager has said that 2,000 screens have recently been ordered to fix this violation. However, as she added, anyone who has tried to put up screens knows that doing 2,000 will take some time!
Supervisor Gross noted that the next report from the County is due June 2nd. She is committed to making sure the conditions in Vista Gardens continue to improve. She also noted that the Fire Department and other County agencies will host bilingual presentations at Saint Anthony for residents about fire safety and other issues. Fr. Tuck noted that he, the parish, and V.O.I.C.E. are also committed to making the conditions in Vista Gardens improve without retaliation on the tenants and looks forward to meeting with County officials after the June 2nd report to discuss the next steps.
Fr. Tuck and Supervisor Penny Gross (above) leading the procession after the 1:00 pm Mass with Fr. Jorge (below) and Saint Anthony of Padua parishioners (second below).
Crossing Leesburg Pike as a group going to Vista Gardens Apartments (two pictures above).
Without even entering the apartments, all could see broken glass in windows (immediately above) and windows that have to held open (second above).
Sr. Agustina leads everyone in the Rosary while Supervisor Gross, Fr. Tuck, and Fr. Jorge visit the apartments (above and two below).
Penny Gross and Fr. Tuck report on their visit to the three apartments along with Scott Engdahl, Pastoral Council President, Fairfax County Fire Marshal, and Maria Calacan, Youth Minister and translator for the day (above and three below).
Supervisor Gross was joined by Fr. Tuck Grinnell, Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, and Fr. Jorge Acho, who have been working with the tenants; Saint Anthony parishioners; tenants of Vista Gardens; and members of V.O.I.C.E. (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement).
After walking to the complex and visiting several apartments, Supervisor Gross reported that she continues to be concerned by the terrible conditions that the tenants in these market rate apartments are forced to live in due to a long-term lack of maintenance. Many residents have lived there 10 to 15 years without any significant maintenance done to their apartments in spite of requests.
The residents of the apartments are doing their best to maintain the units as cleanly and neatly as they can, but the lack of basic maintenance by the management makes this difficult. As one tenant noted to Supervisor Gross, her work is cleaning homes so she knows how to clean; it's just that when there are holes in the wall, broken cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures that haven't been fixed or replaced in decades, and mold and bugs coming through cracks in the ceiling it is difficult to do that in her own home.
In answer to one question about the lack of screens on windows, Supervisor Gross noted that the property manager has said that 2,000 screens have recently been ordered to fix this violation. However, as she added, anyone who has tried to put up screens knows that doing 2,000 will take some time!
Supervisor Gross noted that the next report from the County is due June 2nd. She is committed to making sure the conditions in Vista Gardens continue to improve. She also noted that the Fire Department and other County agencies will host bilingual presentations at Saint Anthony for residents about fire safety and other issues. Fr. Tuck noted that he, the parish, and V.O.I.C.E. are also committed to making the conditions in Vista Gardens improve without retaliation on the tenants and looks forward to meeting with County officials after the June 2nd report to discuss the next steps.
Fr. Tuck and Supervisor Penny Gross (above) leading the procession after the 1:00 pm Mass with Fr. Jorge (below) and Saint Anthony of Padua parishioners (second below).
Crossing Leesburg Pike as a group going to Vista Gardens Apartments (two pictures above).
A long line of parishioners, residents of Vista Gardens, V.O.I.C.E. members, and members of the Legion of Mary (above two pictures).
Supervisor Gross, Fr. Tuck, and Fr. Jorge visit three apartments (three pictures above) and talk to the residents about the maintenance conditions in Vista Gardens Apartments.
Without even entering the apartments, all could see broken glass in windows (immediately above) and windows that have to held open (second above).
Sr. Agustina leads everyone in the Rosary while Supervisor Gross, Fr. Tuck, and Fr. Jorge visit the apartments (above and two below).
Penny Gross and Fr. Tuck report on their visit to the three apartments along with Scott Engdahl, Pastoral Council President, Fairfax County Fire Marshal, and Maria Calacan, Youth Minister and translator for the day (above and three below).
Photo inside apartment thanks to Scott Engdahl.
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