City inspectors, councilman respond to conditions at La Casita apartments

HOUSTON, TX – City of Houston inspectors, a property representative, and a council member responded following a walkthrough at La Casita apartments where residents previously described ongoing issues inside their units.

The property is located at 313 Sunnyside Street.

At the follow up, several inspectors from the City of Houston, including public works and the health department, came out to the complex. Carl Wilson with Eureka Holdings, the company associated with La Casita, was also present, along with Councilman Willie Davis.

During the visit, conditions inside units were again discussed and observed, including big roaches, mold, amongst other things.

Some issues were reported to have been fixed after the initial walkthrough, including a leaking faucet and birds that had been inside a bathroom vent.

Residents continued to point out issues during the walkthrough, including mold in vents, water damage, pest activity, and concerns about maintenance and repairs. Video from inside units showed conditions in bathrooms and living areas, including visible mold and damage.

Concerns were also raised about eviction notices, rent payments, and reported delays in addressing maintenance requests. Some residents stated they feared retaliation and were hesitant to come forward.

The response comes as the City of Houston continues implementing its Multi-Family Habitability Program, established under Ordinance 2009-1043, which monitors apartment complexes with three or more units to ensure minimum safety and habitability standards are met. Inspectors evaluate exterior conditions and common areas, document violations, and require property operators to make corrections, with re-inspections and enforcement actions possible if issues remain unresolved.

City officials also outlined a recently passed update to the program, presented by the Houston Permitting Center, which includes a proposed high-risk apartment inspection initiative aimed at identifying properties with repeated or serious issues for increased monitoring and enforcement. Violations can result in citations and fines ranging from $250 to $2,000 per violation, per day, if not corrected.

This comes after an initial walkthrough Dr. Matthews did earlier in the week.

City officials indicated inspections and possible citations are part of the ongoing response.