NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) — People living at one Newport News apartment complex said they feel left in the dark.
Tenants at Newport Harbour apartments on Madison Avenue said the last several months have been difficult. They said they're supposed to get utility reimbursement checks from The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, they haven't seen the money since July.
These checks help people who live in section 8 housing pay their utility bills.
Latusha Brown said at times she has to find money from elsewhere just to keep the lights on for her and her four kids.
“A lot of us depend on it and don't have it,” Brown said. “What about diapers and baby things you have to get for these kids?”
Housing Management Resources (HMR) is the management company for the owners of Newport Harbour Apartments.
13News Now spoke with Senior VP of Operations Trish Leonard and VP of Marketing & Training Nancy Reno Tuesday.
They said HMR reported they have been working with HUD to renew the monthly funding contract which expired on June 30th. This funding includes utility reimbursements to approximately 80 of the 200 of the households of the apartment community.
HMR paid the utility reimbursement checks in July with company funds in an effort to help minimize the impact to affected residents.
The contract was finalized in early November, although they have yet to receive funding. HMR has again funded the resident utility reimbursements through November with the expectation that the funds will be forthcoming.
HMR told 13News Now Tuesday they will send checks overnight to Newport Harbour apartments in the total of $32,000.
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