News

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today urged the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to immediately resolve unanswered maintenance requests for tenants of properties owned by Global Ministries Foundation.

 

The full text of their letter is below:

  

Dear Secretary Carson:

  

It was only two years ago that we shed light on families that were subjected to slum-like conditions at properties owned and managed by Global Ministries Foundation.  Floridians residing at Windsor Cove Apartments in Orlando, and Stonybrook Apartments in Riviera Beach, faced leaking ceilings, mold, mildew and other conditions as a result of neglect.

 

Just this week, our offices were alerted to instances in which residents are again facing unsafe living conditions, while their maintenance requests have largely been ignored.  While we are pleased that Millennia Housing Development has taken over management of the properties, we are concerned that the lengthy process for formal ownership has led to delays in some of the much-needed maintenance and rehabilitation.

  

It is our hope that this ownership change will lead to direct results for the tenants of all properties in question. In the meantime, it is essential that all maintenance requests, especially those that pose a health and safety risk, are resolved immediately and that tenant surveys are conducted to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used as intended. 

 

Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.

 

Sincerely,

Background On Rubio’s Efforts To Hold Global Ministries Foundation Accountable:

• October 9, 2015 – In a letter, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry first informs Rubio and his staff about the conditions he had just seen at Eureka Garden Apartments. 

• October 16, 2015 – Rubio’s staff met with HUD officials in Jacksonville, called Eureka Garden’s state “alarming” 

• January 21, 2016 – Rubio demanded action from HUD for Eureka Garden Residents after allegations of lead poisoning 

• April 27, 2016 – Rubio discussed the ongoing problems at Eureka Garden with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Garrett Dennis 

• May 12, 2016 – A day before visiting, Rubio discussed problems at HUD’s Eureka Garden in Jacksonville 

• May 13, 2016 – Rubio tells slumlords at HUD Apartments in Jacksonville: “You Guys Are Disgusting” 

• May 13, 2016 – After shaming slumlords, Rubio calls for criminal investigation 

• May 18, 2016 – Rubio spoke on the Senate floor blasting Global Ministries Foundation 

• May 19, 2016 – The Senate passed legislation that included three Rubio amendments to improve the U.S. Department of Urban Development’s oversight of public housing projects 

• May 24, 2016 – Rubio urged the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to open an investigation into Global Ministries Foundation 

• May 25, 2016 – Rubio met with Riviera Beach Councilwoman Dawn Pardo regarding the deplorable conditions of GMF’s Stonybrook apartment complex 

• June 6, 2016 – Rubio again called on DOJ to investigate GMF after touring an Orlando housing complex with Senator Nelson 

• June 7, 2016 – Senator Rubio’s staff visited Stonybrook with Councilwoman Dawn Pardo and Police Major Josh Lewis and talked with residents 

• July 14, 2016 – Senators Bill Nelson and Rubio filed a bill to hold slumlords accountable for poor conditions 

• August 3, 2016 – Rubio commented on the federal raid of slumlords at Global Ministries Foundation, which he called for earlier in the year

• August 11, 2016 – Rubio welcomed report that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Global Ministries Foundation

• September 9, 2016 – Rubio surprised GMF slumlords and visited residents forced to live in deplorable conditions at Stonybrook Apartments