Eagle Watch Estates residents continue to push for better living conditions

MISSOULA – Missoula’s Eagle Watch Estates are being promoted as accessible housing for the elderly or those with disabilities.

However, tenants say that living conditions and communication with their property management company are substandard. They add that they will continue to apply pressure until all maintenance issues are resolved.

Eagle Watch resident Paul Hughes told MTN: “It’s just more helpful for all of us to stand up for ourselves.”

Emily Brown/MTN News

Since May, low-income apartment renters have been speaking out and want their property management group – Accessible Spaces Incorporated (ASI) – to be more responsive to their needs.

Hughes shared that bathroom fans don’t work – persistent steam sets off fire alarms and moisture leads to mold.

“The main fans don’t work in my room and they don’t work for a lot of people in the building either.” He continued: “Now, [there is] Some mold on my ceiling in the bathroom. It could spread and potentially make me sick.
A representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducted interviews in June and explored the condition of the property.

An important question from residents was a property manager. Alessandro Mitchell of the Missoula Tenants Union said one has been hired and is working.

“There are some things that have been done, but there are some deeper things that still need to be addressed,” Mitchell explained.

Emily Brown/MTN News

Residents say there is still some work to be done, including replacing floodlights, repairing windows and more. That’s why they’re hosting a phoneathon, calling and emailing ASI, based in Minnesota.

Residents noted that the larger community can also get involved by making a phone call.

Mitchell continued: “The gap is too big. The residents here would like management to attend our meetings.”

“I just wish they would talk to us more and ask us more questions about what exactly we want to do,” Hughes added.

MTN reached out to ASI to see how often they have direct contact with Eagle Watch residents, but ASI did not respond as of October 18, 2024.

CHECK OUT PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Eagle Watch Estates residents speak out on building safety issues

Eagle Watch Apartment Issues