Columbia, S.C. Faces Mold Crisis in Willow Run Apartments
Living in an apartment should feel like a home, a safe haven for families to thrive and create memories. However, residents at the Willow Run Apartments in Columbia, South Carolina, have found themselves facing a distressing situation that would make any parent cringe. With mold and bacteria as unwelcome housemates, these families are struggling through a tough time.
Meet Portia Mack, a resident of Willow Run since just September 2023. Portia is a mother who, like many, simply wants the best for her children. “Me and my children are suffering,” she shared, highlighting the dreadful conditions in her apartment. “We’re living in this mold infested apartment, with gnats and flies. And it’s just water everywhere.” Things took a turn for the worse back in June when her apartment—along with several others—suffered significant water damage.
Portia painted a vivid picture of her living situation, saying, “You see how the floors are wet right now when you walk? That’s what we started to see.” Fast forward four months, and the dampness has not only persisted but worsened. Standing water remains inside her apartment, and mold now climbs up the walls three feet high, dangerously close to her little girl’s play area. “It’s terrifying,” she admitted.
The struggle didn’t end with her family’s experience. Another resident living nearby also faced these alarming conditions and tried to voice her concerns about the situation. “My neighbor tried to report the water, but no one would believe her,” said Portia. It wasn’t until the property manager and maintenance team finally came out to see the issues firsthand that any action was taken.
In a surprising twist, while the complex offered to relocate Portia’s neighbor, there was no alternative apartment available for Portia and her children. Frustrated and exhausted from waiting for a solution, Portia decided it was time to take charge of her family’s fate. “I just had enough of it, and I emailed the Chief of Code Enforcement last night. They came right out, in less than 24 hours,” she explained.
The response from Columbia’s code enforcement team was quick. Portia soon found herself faced with an order to vacate her apartment within 24 hours. “I was relieved, but then a sudden anxiety came over me, because I’m like, ‘Where are they going to put us?’” she recounted.
To get the latest on this situation, we reached out to the City of Columbia Code Enforcement, who indicated that the apartment manager was making housing arrangements for the displaced tenants. However, questions remain. Why did it take so long for tenants like Portia to receive assistance? What about those still living in similar conditions? We turned to Willow Run Apartments’ property management company, Beacon Property Services, hoping for clarity, but unfortunately, we didn’t receive any information from them.
As situations like this unfold, it’s crucial to highlight the impact on families. No one should have to endure the stress of living in a moldy, unsafe environment, especially when children are involved. The experiences of Portia Mack and her neighbors at Willow Run Apartments remind us of the importance of community support, swift action, and the need for better living conditions for all.
Conclusion
In the heartwarming spirit of taking action, we hope that the situation at Willow Run Apartments improves significantly in the coming days. Families like Portia’s deserve a clean, safe place to call home.
