HOUSTON – A long-abandoned home in Southeast Houston that residents said had become an eyesore and safety concern is finally gone following a 2 Helps You report on August 3rd.
The home, located in the 8000 block of Lenore Street, was demolished after years of complaints from neighbors and a recent 2 Helps You report brought renewed attention to the property.
Residents who spoke with 2 Helps You said they were relieved to see the city take action.
“It’s a blessing to take this,” said Hermida Holguin, who celebrated the demolition.
Just weeks earlier, 2 Helps You reported on the property after residents reached out about the condition of the home.
At the time, the city told 2 Helps You that demolition could take up to 60 days. Residents said they were frustrated and did not want to wait that long.
“It’s concerning. At this point at the end of the day, I mean we pay our taxes like anyone else and we definitely want to be heard and we definitely believe it’s the right thing to do and we want to clean up our city,” one resident, Paul, said during the earlier report.
Residents said the property had been an ongoing problem for years.
Randy Macchi, Houston Public Works director, previously confirmed to 2 Helps You that the department had received numerous complaints about the property.
“How many times has public works been contacted about this property? Dozens upon dozens,” Macchi said.
Macchi and his team ultimately fast-tracked the demolition, which was approved by a court last month.
Officials also said Houston police had received calls involving the property. As a precaution, HPD was present when crews arrived to demolish the home and clear the site.
For neighbors, the difference was immediate.
“Everybody is happy around here,” Robert told 2 Helps You.
Eric Cardona said the property had created problems for the neighborhood, including trash and concerns about people coming and going from the home.
“It’s good because obviously it’s been a problem because there has been trash everywhere all the time and people can’t have their kids around because there are always people walking around that you don’t want to have your kids around,” Cardona said.
Officials confirmed that fourteen squatters were inside the abandoned home.
The property even had a portable toilet behind the house, according to the previous 2 Helps You report. Now, the home and the problems residents associated with it are gone.
The demolition coming much sooner than the 60-day timeline residents had originally been given.
For years homeowners in the neighborhood said they repeatedly contacted the city before ultimately reaching out to 2 Helps You when they were unable to get the resolution they wanted.
As always it’s important to remember 2 Helps You should not be your first call, but we don’t mind being your last.
Contact the 2 Helps You help desk if you want investigator Mario Diaz to look into a problem you may be having.