Owners' pay for bed bug infestation in apartments

Ivan Moreno, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, June 29, 2007

Residents of bed bug infested Halcyon House expected to see the apartment's owners in court today, but instead learned they'd already settled the case by paying a small fine.

The owners, who are based in Maine, hired a local attorney to appear in court two days before, and paid a $41 fine for failing to spray for bed bugs in the 16-story apartment building at 1955 Arapahoe St.

The Denver Department of Environmental Health cited Urban Inc., which manages Halcyon House, but their court hearing earlier this month was rescheduled so the owners of the building could be present.

News that American Housing Preservation Corp. had already dealt with the matter dismayed Halcyon House resident Kevin Grimsinger, who wanted a chance to see them in court.

Grimsinger's frustration grew when he learned the corporation had only paid a $41 fine.

"I understand this is a lengthy process," Bob McDonald, division supervisor for Public Health Inspection, told Grimsinger. But, McDonald said, it's unusual for fines to exceed $1,000 for violations such as those at Halcyon House.

Halcyon House is an affordable housing residence for disabled and elderly. The Department of Housing and Urban Development subsidizes 70 percent of their rent.

Residents have complained for almost a year that their building is infested with bed bugs and that Urban Inc. stopped paying for pest control. Urban Inc. said they couldn't pay because the building's owner did not give them money.

Grimsinger and other residents have been meeting twice a month to discuss their concerns about the building, which include lackluster security, old elevetaros, and sporadic janitorial services because Urban Inc. couldn't pay for it.

Dave Burton, an agent for the owners, said today that Halcyon residents can expect a rent hike begining in September to help pay for the maintanence of the building.