CAPE CHARLES, Va. — A joint inspection conducted on February 8, 2024, at the Seabreeze Apartments, a Project-Based Section 8 Complex located at 201 Washington Ave., Cape Charles, revealed significant safety concerns in 11 of the 28 units, leading town officials to declare them unsafe and uninhabitable.
The inspection, carried out by representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the USDA Rural Development, prompted immediate action from the Town Building Official, who deemed the 11 units unfit for occupancy. Consequently, 11 adults and 8 children were displaced from their homes, requiring urgent attention to address their housing and transportation needs.
In response, the Town of Cape Charles initiated close coordination efforts with HUD, the ANPDC Regional Housing Authority, and the complex’s management company. Together, they collaborated to provide temporary housing solutions for the affected tenants. On the evening of February 8th, all displaced tenants were relocated to local hotels, where they will reside while efforts continue to secure them longer-term housing options.
Fortunately, the safety concerns identified only affected a portion of the complex. The remaining 7 occupied units remain unaffected, and tenants residing in those units should not experience any further disruption to their living arrangements.
Moving forward, the matter of addressing the uninhabitable units will be addressed through discussions between the property owners, USDA officials, and the management company in the coming weeks. The Town of Cape Charles has committed to closely monitoring the situation and offering assistance as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
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There has been complaints to management day after day, week after week, year after year. They hire shotty companies to do the work. Work being “repairing”/replacing a/c units. Probably the most they have done, and not recently. They did have a company lawn crew, run by management presidents son, come over one day just to make the place look nice for tourists/ the town council/ or themselves. Hiding what’s really going on in the inside. Inspections inside are supposed to be done once a month. Those haven’t been done in forever. Reason nothing has been updated/repaired/brought up to code? They claim to not have the money.
Personally I think the management company should be audited and every document gone through. Believe me if you search hard enough you will find something. You can’t expect something to stay structurally sound or up to code if you don’t put out the money or pay your bills.
Yes, there are erosion issues that need to be looked into, but that has nothing to do with seabreeze being condemned, this time. That’s an excuse to save their own asses. If the job was done right the first time, there wouldn’t be this problem this time. I think s#t needs to start rolling up hill instead of always down on innocent residents.
They will be driven out. A developer will propose to buy the land, put up large waterfront homes and promise out of self promotion and fake charity to build them wonderful new units. You know, the typical cocktail party self promotion fundraiser feel good charity instead of just quietly giving of your time and money. A shoddy rental subsidized by the USDA will then be put in the middle of nowhere. When there is no more money or goodwill to be milked it’s case closed.
I said the same. They won’t want section 8 back there.
Sounds like “demolition by neglect.” Didn’t think that was allowed in this town. Pretty awful for these displaced families. Where will they go? Meanwhile, how many houses sit empty all winter?
The 20 yr lease of the property is coming to a close…they have no intension of repairing the building…the Town Manager knows, Council knows….everyone knows….and no one cares. Shameful.
Prior to this there was a mass eviction. Some residents left, some went to court to fight the eviction and most won. I was a resident that left during that time. When I asked for my paperwork I realized that nothing I was given matched anything else I was given. At rent in that low income development for myself in particular being 1,044.00 I found it ridiculous to fight to stay in a place where no repairs were being done. Continually paying high electric bills for heating / cooling units not working, being invaded by pestilence, reptiles and rodents, ovens blowing up, mold collecting at our vents. The management company itself is a poor one. For years there were no inspections, continous issues with the ” system” not working resulting in no one knowing what rent was. The mass eviction was based on any back rents owed however no one knew what rent was, Some were told not to pay, others continued to pay something but unknowing what rentvwas still fell behind. I agree the ultimate goal to remove the entire complex which is sad but understandable considering the route Cape Charles has taken. I am now homeless but resourceful. I gave managed to keep the jib I’ve walked to for 2 years even though I’m no longer in walking distance. For 2 years we have been plagued with uncertainty…I’m glad I was able to leave ..the situation is still stressful yes, but the removal of uncertainty has been such a relief.
Of course your rent is going to go up when you don’t pay your rent! Damages to you’re apartment is added in to your rent. And there’s no making payment arrangements for intentional damages. Getting drunk and kicking holes in your walls. Why would anyone fix your apartment if you’re going to continuously, intentionally damage it. How can someone be homeless when they live in and own their 5th wheel camper that sits in mommy’s yard. No need to complain when you have a good job at S&S and collect a very large check from Rayfields when you’re not even allowed in Rayfields anymore. Oh and don’t forget all that child support from five baby daddys.
Good morning!! There seems to be some misunderstanding on your end about not only my personal situation but others that were at Seabreeze. If you’d like to connect and maybe talk through these misunderstandings you have about me personally and others who lived there I’d be happy to do so. You seem to be under the impression you know quite a bit about me, unfortunately your information is not accurate.
Feel free to come by my place of employment and we can set a date. Hope to see you soon
I find it appalling that at a time such as this you would choose to personally attack someone and hide behind an alias. Being ashamed of who you are and not wanting anyone who knows your skeletons to speak so harshly about you is called being a coward. This article is not about your personal jealousy of another it’s about the unjust treatment of low income people in Cape Charles.
Cape Charles is a complete joke…a liberal wet-dream at best.
Stay hydrated, fools!
Anyone know someone who can audit Greenbrier Management?
Not exactly an audit, but …
Better Business Bureau
https://www.bbb.org/us/va/williamsburg/profile/apartments/greenbrier-management-0583-90029024
BBB Has Greenbrier Management with an F rating. Not accredited.
Why don’t you do it, Mr. Helper?
It’s all about the $$$$$$$$$$$
Always has been, probably always will be.
Cape Charles seems to be geared towards vacation rentals. Families and community doesn’t seem the direction of the newer residents of Cape Charles or it elected officials. It’s horrendous to give residents of Sea breeze less than 3 hours to pack up and vacate their homes. The other issue is that it was done at or around sunset
This a time for people to band together who actually care about our Cape Charles community. Personal attacks and finger pointing is not going to solve being taxed out of Cape Charles or being evicted out because Sea breeze is on prime real estate allegedly.
The Citizens of The Shore allowed this to happen, slowly but surely.
How convenient the Town decides to suddenly shown concern for those at Seabreeze after all these years. Let’s see: low income housing sitting right on the water? Jeeez, wonder what deal the Town made with a developer or real estate agent to “acquire” the property so they can reap tremendous financial reward by development of rich folks condos or houses right on the bay. Too convenient, follow the money. Heritage acres is next I promise.
First of all I hope that each displaced family finds a home. I know how difficult it is to find suitable and affordable houses on the “Shore.”
I have a problem understanding :
1. Why were these apartments allowed to get in such horrible condition.
2. Who holds the mortgage on the property? Was it backed by a government loan?
3. Who managed the property? Are they being held accountable along with others who are responsible?
4. Is the plan to correct the issues?
5. Once the issues are corrected, will the tenants be allowed to move back in?
6. When will the issues be corrected. When will the families be able to move back in?
7. Is the town of Cape Charles working with the owner/ owners to correct the issues?
Thank you.
I think they just wanted them out. Nobody really wants low income families on waterfront property. It’s a disgrace how it was done. I hope each family finds suitable homes.