Those living at Bear Creek Apartments on General McMullen say their health and safety is at risk. Tenants say they are dealing with mice infestations and mold.
SAN ANTONIO — Renters at a west-side apartment complex said they are living in “deplorable” conditions.
On Thursday, residents gave KENS 5 a tour of their homes at the Bear Creek Apartments on General McMullen.
In one apartment, mice droppings could be seen piling up on windowsills and in corners. Cockroaches were spotted running along walls and accumulating in traps. Code enforcement slips are stacking up at the home.
City inspectors have been out 10 times in the last year.
“Her biggest concern is that she is living in an apartment with her kids that is not even adequate,” said Sofia Lopez, the housing justice director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP).
Fearing retaliation, tenants asked KENS 5 not to identify them.
A mother said her home is infested with mice and cockroaches. She said she can’t store food safely, and claims mice are constantly getting into her children’s clothing. She keeps laundry in plastic bags so it stays clean.
“We put out mice traps,” she said. “Seconds later, we hear trap after trap after trap going off. On the worst day, there were seven dead mice. I had to call someone to remove them because I didn’t want to touch them. I am afraid the mice will bite my children and child protective services will open a case against me.”
A mouse chewed through her son’s backpack and homework. The family said they are unable to use their oven because it is full of mice. The woman’s oldest son is now covered in rashes.
“When she saw that her son had a rash, she felt helpless,” said Lopez. “Because right now, her children don’t have health insurance.”
Another tenant shared photos of mold on her walls and cupboards.
A third resident said the sound of gunfire is constant.
“I told [the property manager] to put a camera up because people are coming in,” said the woman. “People steal cars and park them here. The gate is always broken. We need security or something.”
Tenants say they are paying more than $1,000 a month to live in squalor. They tell us the property manager is unresponsive and their living conditions are getting worse.
According to property records, New Jersey-based Bear Creek OTM Harmony LP owns the property. The Michaels Organization manages it. KENS 5 reached out to both companies for comment, but we haven’t heard back yet.
“There are several layers of accountability that need to happen here, starting with the owner of the property, the City of San Antonio, the State of Texas and the federal government,” said Lopez. “At the end of the day, tenants are the ones paying the price.”
Lopez is hopeful new adorable housing developments from a voter-approved bond will give desperate tenants more options. However, she urges the city to improve its existing housing as well.
“There isn’t enough investment,” said Lopez. “There aren’t enough tools in place to make sure that the quality of the housing that exists is what hard working people and their families deserve. Additionally, we need relocation assistance. It’s hard enough for people to find another place that doesn’t have the same issues, and when they do, they often have to come up with first and last month’s rent. That’s hard for families who can barely make their rent payments.”
City Councilwoman Teri Castillo represents the district. We reached out to her office and are waiting to hear back.
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