Two blind Austin Community College students moved into the Ball Park West Apartments in Austin, Texas. They notified the manager that the unit had: disconnected smoke alarms, no running water for bathing; a smoky stove top’ a filthy refrigerator; moldy surfaces everywhere; lacked furniture promised by the lease agreement and was too far away from the alternate transportation route. The manger’s response was:“What Does It Matter They’re Blind They Won’t Notice?”
Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corporation takes advantage of Blind tenants by expecting them to live in filth, mold, no running water for bathing, fire hazards and being deprived safe access to transportation.
Two blind Austin Community College students moved into the Ball Park West Apartments in Austin, Texas. They notified the manager that the unit had: disconnected smoke alarms, no running water for bathing; a smoky stove top’ a filthy refrigerator; moldy surfaces everywhere; lacked furniture promised by the lease agreement and was too far away from the alternate transportation route. The manger’s response was:“What Does It Matter They’re Blind They Won’t Notice?”
KXAN news covered the story. The news clip shows several issues that need to be resolved immediately. Two blind Austin Community College students moved into the Ball Park West Apartmentsand when they notified the manager of significant violations in their unit, the manager stated: “What Does It Matter They’re Blind They Won’t Notice?”
The list of violations is startling: the smoke alarms were disconnected, there was no running water for bathing; the stove top emits smoke; the refrigerator is filthy with old food; mold is everywhere; furniture promised by the lease agreement has not been provided; and the blind tenants must dodge cars in a parking lot to get to the alternate transportation route. The manger’s response was:“What Does It Matter They’re Blind They Won’t Notice?” There are always two sides to every story, but if the manager really made the above remark, he should be terminated immediately. Are his sentiments consistent with the core values of Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corp?
Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corp feels it is immune from rectifying these problems because they just acquired the Ball Park West property. Just how long is a property owner allowed to wait before they are held accountable for making sure its units meet basic health and safety standards? How about just doing the right thing without being mandated to do so? I predict the “we just acquired the property” excuse does not stop them from collecting the rent.
Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corp promised KXAN that “renovations are coming!” Was that remark meant to be a ray of hope to these two blind tenants who cannot even take a shower, cook a meal or get to the bus safely? This is far more serious than “renovating”; the unit is unlivable.
Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corp know it DOES matter and you HAVE noticed!
The pictures show a nice, trendy apartment as shown on Asset Campus Housing / Asset Plus Corp website. This is in sharp contrasted with the broken smoke detector, filthy fridge and moldy surface that blind students are expected to accept.
