Federal agents with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General were on-site at the Houston Housing Authority's housing development yesterday, conducting an environmental probe into the safety of the premises. The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a controversial new apartment complex located at 800 Middle St., south of Buffalo Bayou in the Second Ward, has faced intense scrutiny over concerns of toxic ash contamination on adjacent land formerly used for incinerating trash by the city, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
With the complex constructed near legacy deposits of lead-laden ash, Houston Mayor John Whitmire previously halted leasing, invoking health concerns especially related to lead exposure, months before the complex was set to open. Descent upon the complexyesterday by more than a dozen federal agents, which included Environmental Protection Agency specialists, was also highlighted by FOX 26, marking a continued escalation of government involvement. The agents collected soil samples using a mechanical drill for testing as part of the ongoing investigation, while banners promoting the apartment amenities remained hanging on the property's perimeter fence.
Concerns have been heightened by Alan Atkinson, a local critic quoted by FOX 26, asserting that toxic substances such as lead, arsenic, and even dioxins, are present on properties encircling the housing project. Atkinson has have accused the Housing Authority and the project's developer, NRP Group, of misrepresenting facts to secure federal funding required for the project's continuation. Notably, NRP Group released a statement acknowledging the ongoing investigation and assuring full cooperation with the authorities, citing resident safety as a primary concern.
"This is the worst possible place to build affordable housing and they knew it, privately behind the scenes, they knew it and we have the documents they knew about this contamination," Atkinson told FOX 26, suggesting that internal documents could reveal knowledge of the hazardous conditions prior to construction. These allegations raise the specter of potential suppression of critical environmental hazard information which, if verified, could lead to criminal charges considering HUD regulations on the proximity of low-income housing to significant environmental hazards. The magnitude of the potential danger is underscored by Atkinson's insistent claim that some areas near the development contained toxic ash up to 22 feet deep.
Amid these startling revelations and heightened scrutiny, the Houston Housing Authority maintained its stance, asserting the complex's safety for residents. In a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle, the Housing Authority declared its dedication to delivering a secure living environment. Major Whitmire's stance of holding off occupancy pending independent testing has been lauded by critics like Atkinson. Meanwhile, the swirl of investigative activities around The Pointe at Bayou Blend continues to unravel, with the implications of recent soil samples eagerly anticipated by stakeholders and the local community alike.
