Residents at Georgia King Village in Newark are expressing disappointment over what they say continue to be deplorable living conditions. Last month, a judge gave L+M Development, the management company at the complex, a one-month extension to make necessary repairs.
On Wednesday, lawyers said that repairs were made to a majority of apartments except some where the company didn’t have access. But residents say all the company did was put Band-Aids on the problems. The judge yesterday gave L+M Management two weeks to inspect apartments needing repairs that had not yet been accessed. A spokesperson for L+M issued a statement saying, “We continue to work with our residents and the City on resolving any last outstanding issues at Georgia King Village to ensure we are providing the high-quality affordable housing that our community deserves.”
Community activist Gee Cureton, said, “Landlords have access to it any time they feel like it. If they feel like there’s a problem with the health and safety issue, they can go in there. But they chose not to because they don’t want to.”
Kenyatta K. Stewart, corporation counsel for Newark, said in a statement Friday, “On April 18, 2023, the City of Newark Law Department, accompanied by City code enforcement officers, travelled to Georgia King Village for re-inspections of the apartments. Residents were notified of the visit 48 hours in advance.
“Ninety-five percent of the residents spoken to claimed that the conditions have been abated, and this information was verified through onsite inspections and the confirmation of tenant advocates. Because every apartment wasn’t accessible at the time of the inspection, the city law department, in conjunction with the complex’s management, L + M Development Partners, is seeking a joint court order to gain entry into the remaining units, and will return to court in two weeks.”
— Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 28, 2023 to include a statement from Newark corporation counsel Kenyatta K. Stewart.
