Tenants face deadline to move as Latrobe condemns bug-infested apartment building

In two weeks, Vanessa Jordan is supposed to be moved out of the Latrobe apartment she’s called home for the past 11 years.

A few dozen of her closest neighbors are in the same situation because the city condemned the six-story apartment building they share at 333 Main St.

“I just have no idea where I’m going to go,” Jordan said Monday.

The city found more than 100 code violations at the building in September, when it conducted an inspection after receiving multiple complaints about conditions in the structure.

According to city manager Terry Carcella, many of those problems have been addressed, but a concern remains about an infestation of cockroaches and bed bugs that was a factor in the city’s decision to condemn the building.

Latrobe officials wouldn’t immediately release the condemnation letter sent to the building owner, Jay Pan LLC of Export. TribLive has submitted a right-to-know request, which is under review by the city solicitor.

Carcella, in a four-sentence news release issued Monday, said the city code provides that “any building that is unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested, creating a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public, shall be condemned and placarded by the code enforcement officer.”

Condemnation signs were posted on the building Friday.

“It’s an unfortunate thing we have to do,” Carcella said. “This action serves the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city.”

The city ordered that the building be vacated and that measures be taken to address the health concerns, according to the news release.

Part of the problem, Carcella said, is exterminators have to have access to all areas of the building for the process of eliminating pests to be effective.

Jordan said she was aware of at least three building residents who opposed having an exterminator enter their apartments.

Jordan said she hasn’t noticed bed bugs in her apartment but has seen rats and mice, as well as cockroaches.

“I’m afraid to keep food, even in my refrigerator,” she said. “I’ll usually go somewhere else to eat.”

Jay Pan has 30 days to request a hearing before the code enforcement appeals board.

A spokesperson for Jay Pan indicated the owner is looking to obtain the services of a real estate attorney but didn’t comment on the extermination concerns.

According to Jordan, tenants were told they had 14 days to find a new residence. She said that’s a challenge for her because she is disabled and, like many fellow tenants, has limited income. She also owns a dog.

Jordan said she doesn’t believe she’ll get a refund for a portion of the $500 monthly rent she paid.

The Jay Pan spokesperson said the building owner will refund part of the March rent but said most tenants hadn’t paid their March rent. Three people broke into apartments without leasing them, according to the spokesperson.

The faith-based nonprofit Faith Forward Ministries, which provides counseling and other human services, has its headquarters on the opposite side of Main Street from the apartment building. It has agreed to host some sessions where the displaced tenants can seek housing guidance and assistance from staff with the Union Mission, which operates a Derry Township homeless shelter for men.

“We will be offering our services as best we can to help facilitate people finding a new residence,” said Allan Kern, a case worker with Faith Forward.

“We’ll be helping them get connected to resources and services they might need,” said Lyndsay Burrik, Union Mission assistant director.

Depending on each displaced household’s circumstances, they might be eligible for federally-funded rent assistance or help with a temporary hotel stay, she said.

Finding new homes in the area all at once for a sizeable number of people will be challenging, Kern said.

He cited a need for more affordable housing for low-income residents. He noted there typically is a waiting list for renting such housing.

“I wish they would create some more housing for low-income, disabled people,” he said.