CROSBY – Since new regulations went into effect last year in Harris County, seven illegal boarding homes have been shut down.
Now, some former residents at a home on Cypress in Crosby say crucial belongings like medicines and oxygen tanks are still locked inside and serious health concerns are surfacing.
“The house was in terrible condition, I agree,” said Berry Williams.
He was moved into the boarding home on Cypress and Myrtle after being discharged from a hospital.
He said the home located in the Arcadian Gardens neighborhood was recommended by hospital staff.
“She (the hospital worker) made the arrangements. I didn’t talk to anyone. After my discharge date came, they put me in a van and they brought me out here,” Williams said.
Williams said aside from the room he shared with another resident for just about a week, inside the house was filthy and falling apart.
“I remember I got up to go use the restroom and the roof fell in,” Williams said.
Officials with the Harris County Fire Marshall’s Office said it’s likely the hospital staff had no idea this home didn’t have the proper permit to operate. Right now, they aren’t required to verify.
On the morning of March 4, after Williams said he had just paid his $700 rent, the home was shut down. He and eight other residents living there were forced out immediately.
“It was about 5:30, they made us all get up out of bed, bring a set of clothes to wear and they took us to Humble, Texas to the hospital,” Williams said.
After being evaluated and released, Williams found himself with another major problem.
“Everything I got is in there. My pills, my medication, the breathing apparatus that I never got a chance to use, all that is locked up in this house,” Williams said.
He said he only has one lung and suffers from COPD, congestive heart failure, and has a defibrillator, amongst other medical conditions.
Williams nor his sister have been able to contact the person who ran the home to get his stuff back.
“I have been contacting him since Friday. I call, it rings, goes to the voicemail and then you can’t even leave a message,” said Williams sister, Natalie Ausby.
KPRC2 also tried calling the man who possibly runs the house, but have not heard back. He’s currently facing criminal charges. Officials said the next step is for Williams is to take him to civil court.
For a list of legal boarding homes, click here.