HOUSTON – A Spring Branch family is calling for assistance after enduring years of frustration with an abandoned property next to their home. The Pham family, who have lived on Emnora Lane for several years, say they are fed up with the deteriorating condition of the neighboring house, which has become a haven for pests and unsightly overgrowth.
For nearly a decade, Janet Pham has reached out to various city departments, attended hearings, and filed numerous complaints about the abandoned home, yet she feels her pleas have largely gone unheard.
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“The backyard is a jungle. We have weeds that are taller than our fence. We actually had to build a privacy fence. Just to alleviate some of the issues with the animals coming into our yard,” said Janet Pham.
Pham printed off stacks of emails she’s sent to city officials through the years.
Pham reached out to KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun after his previous stories on dilapidated homes across the metro area.
“We saw you do another story, and we know that you got some results from that. And we saw the Department of Neighborhood come onto the news and say that they were going to really step up and help and do their job. And clearly, they’re not,” Pham said. “So, we’re just calling them to the table and expecting them to put their money where their mouth is. This has to stop.”
The city has taken notice of the home.
When Balogun visited the home Wednesday, October 2, he saw a ‘dangerous building’ notice sign on the door. It’s dated October 1st, a day after Balogun first reached out to the city inquiring about the home.
A spokesperson with the Department of Neighborhoods shared the property owners have been fined $2,000.
According to the Harris County Appraisal District the home is owned by Jill Harlow.
Balogun made repeated efforts to reach Harlow but was unsuccessful.
“10243 Emnora Lane went to a hearing on September 24, 2024. The property owner was issued $2,000 in civil penalties and ordered to repair or demolish the structure within 90 days,” the City of Houston’s Department of Neighborhoods spokesperson said. “As a result of this case, we are also sending a contractor to the property to cut the tall weeds and grass within the next 5-10 business days. Any work performed by the Department of Neighborhoods will also result in a lien(s) on the property to recover the taxpayer funds used to pay for this work.”
As the Phams await further action from city officials, they are hopeful that their years of persistence will finally lead to a safer and cleaner neighborhood.
“We just want to live in a decent environment,” Janet emphasized, reflecting the sentiments of many who find themselves in similar predicaments.
You can report violations to the city’s Department of Neighborhoods by either calling 3-1-1 or sending them an email at 311@houstontx.gov.
