ORANGE, Texas — Residents living at the Sabine Park Apartments in Orange have gone almost a month without water.
"It feels like we're living like animals here," Regina Steward, Sabine Park resident, said.
Several apartment units now have notices posted on the doors, stating they are uninhabitable. A 12News crew at the scene found the notices one day after meeting with the city’s director of planning and community development.
12News repeatedly reached out to Sabine Park Apartment Homes and Trinity Multifamily, the apartment's management company. Trinity Multifamily later responded by saying in part:
“The repairs needed are quite extensive due to the age of the property as well as the freeze that happened a few weeks ago. We have received bids and the owners of the property, Sabine Portfolio LLC, are reviewing them and making plans to get the work completed.”
Renters said there has been little to no communication from management regarding the issue. They are running out of patience and desperate for help.
“Excuse my French, but I’m mad as hades, and I don’t know what to do about it,” Steward said. “I’m not going to take this anymore. Someone’s going to help us.”
In some apartment complexes, sinks are filled with unwashed dishes and there is no place for those living in them to bathe.
Related: 'It's terrible': Sabine Park Apartment Homes resident describes living without water for three weeks
“I'm at a loss as for what to do,” Steward said. “I'm about to start, but I don't know how to start a GoFundMe page for help. I'd like to see if somehow some way a GoFundMe page could be made to help us out here."
Multiple units have water and sewage flowing from underneath into the street.
"We've been dealing with this for a month now, and we're living like animals basically,” Steward said.
Residents said the property manager quit. 12News tried to speak to a manager on site, but no one was available.
Martisia Thomas moved into the complex about three months ago.
"I don't know what's going on but it’s very hard," Thomas said.
Related: 'It's unbearable': Some Sabine Park Apartment Homes residents living without water since Christmas
The conditions are so bad that she is relieved she did not pay rent for this month.
“I didn’t pay it,” Thomas said. “And good thing I didn’t pay it, because she’s gone, and I’m still with no water."
Orange Planning and Community Development are looking into the complex for more than just busted pipes. They sent the complex a letter.
"That letter will state what the violations are, and the property owner will need to contact us,” Kelvin Knauf, City of Orange Planning and Development said.
The American Red Cross is expected to go to the complex Saturday around 11 a.m. to drop off water and supplies.
12News has reached out to apartment management to ask about a timeline for repairs and to see if residents are expected to pay rent this month, but have yet to receive a response.
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