HOUSTON – A Houston woman’s home has been left exposed to heavy rain and frigid temperatures after her ceiling collapsed in December, leaving her struggling with health and safety concerns.
Anne Charles says the issue began with a leak in her ceiling, which she first reported back in October.
Despite notifying her landlord and maintenance team multiple times, repairs were never made, and the situation escalated when the ceiling collapsed on December 13.
Ceiling Collapse and Immediate Danger
Anne Charles recalls the frightening moment when the ceiling gave way. She was watching movies with her daughter.
“I was scared,” Anne said. “I was just laying down with my daughter, and then I heard a big boom. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but when I woke up and ran to the room, I felt the sheetrock fall on my shoulder.”
Since the collapse, the hole in the ceiling has remained open, and Annie has been living with constant exposure to the elements and insulation.
“It’s been open like that since December 13th,” she added, pointing out that her landlord has known about the problem since October 30.
Health Risks and Mold Concerns
The damage to her ceiling has left her home vulnerable to more than just the weather—Anne and her daughter are now worried about mold growth. Since the ceiling fell, they’ve both experienced breathing issues.
“I think there is mold inside because since that day, my daughter and I sometimes have to leave the house because breathing is difficult,” she explained.
On top of the mold concern, the cold weather has made it even harder to live in the space.
Neighbor Faces Similar Issues
Anne is not the only one affected by the ongoing building issues. Her neighbor, Xaverina Shalonda, also faced water damage after heavy rainstorms. She experienced a leak, and her ceiling collapsed in the same place.
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Although Xaverina’s landlord quickly responded to the problem, covering her exposed ceiling with a tarp, she said she has not been given clear answers about when repairs will be completed.
“They covered it up, but nobody’s told me anything,” said Xaverina. “No one is saying when they’ll come back to fix it or how long it’s going to take.”
Investigation Finds No Active Repairs
Our investigation into the situation uncovered that while a ladder and cooler were found near the roof, there were no active repairs being conducted. There was no sign of progress toward a permanent fix.
Property Owner Responds
After our inquiry, the property owner of the complex responded, saying they would take action to resolve the issue.
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The owner confirmed that they would meet with the Homeowners Association (HOA) in person to get an update on the repairs needed for the roof, which they say is the real issue.
“The HOA is ultimately responsible,” said the property owner, indicating that the issue would be addressed at the association level.
Living in Limbo
For now, Annie Charles and her neighbors continue to live with the uncertainty of when repairs will be made. With mold concerns and no clear timeline for fixing the building’s issues, they are left waiting and hoping for a resolution.
