FAIRVIEW, Ore. — Neighbors in a Fairview apartment complex said Wednesday that mold in their apartments is making them sick.
Tressa Stewart said mold can be found in her apartment and several others at the Fairview Arms on Seventh Street. She said most of the children and elderly who live at the complex have been diagnosed with asthma or another respiratory illness.
She also said her neighbors in the government-subsidized, low-income complex fear speaking about the problems because they’re scared of getting kicked out of the complex.
“It’s not fair for them to kill them just because they’re scared to be homeless,” Stewart said. “I’m sure if they knew it was killing them, they’d rather be homeless than dead.”
A neighbor who didn’t want to be identified showed the mold inside her home. She said she suffered a skin rash that nearly went from head to toe until she bought an air purifier, which now runs constantly.
Other neighbors said large trash bags of black mold were taken from the apartment of an elderly woman earlier this week.
Stewart said the conditions have also caused three dogs to suffer tumors on their chests. Two of those dogs died, she said.
She and her neighbors are hoping for change.
“I want them to do something about it,” Stewart said. “It’s not fair for people to not be able to breathe in their own home.”
The apartment manager said she had no comment, but said she may be able to share more information early next week.
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