When Home Becomes Hazardous: My Journey Through Housing Neglect and Health Challenges
When Home Becomes Hazardous
My Journey Through Housing Neglect and Health Challenges
Introduction
Living in a place you call home should be a source of comfort and safety. Unfortunately, my experience with the Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has been anything but that. In the Flexner Report of 2010, the Carnegie and Rockefellers put a stop to Natural healings and Federal funding went to Toxicology instead of Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Electic, Naturopathic, and Homepathic Healings. I want to share my story to shed light on the importance of proper housing maintenance and the rights every tenant deserves.
KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NET STATEMENT JUNE 2024 shows HUD allocated approximately $56 Million to KCDC, $5 Million to Maintenance, $5 Million are sent from Foreign Governments and overall there's ^$7 Million in Depreciation.
Radon in basements, lead in drinking water and tobacco w/lead & nickel and it's smoke, exhausts from cars and chemicals released from landfills are just a few examples of toxic substances that can hurt you.
The Hidden Dangers of Neglected Maintenance
At first glance, some issues might seem minor—overgrown plants, a bit of moisture here and there. But these seemingly small problems can escalate quickly:
Overgrown Vegetation: Plants
creeping too close to HVAC units and patios can invite pests and cause water
damage.
Poor Drainage: Standing water
isn't just unsightly; it can weaken foundations and promote mold
growth.
Compromised Air Systems: Exposed
HVAC returns can pull in unfiltered, contaminated air, affecting indoor air
quality.
Wall Damage and Moisture: Cracks
and damp spots aren't just cosmetic issues—they're potential mold breeding
grounds.
Neglected Home Exterior
Figure 1: Overgrown vegetation around the property.
Yes, cockroaches can carry and spread diseases like staphylococcus and E. coli. Their feeding and nesting habits allow them to ingest, harbor, and transmit various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This can lead to contamination of food and food-handling surfaces, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. [1, 2]
Here's a more detailed explanation: [1, 1, 3, 3]
• Cockroaches as Reservoirs: Cockroaches can act as reservoirs for various pathogens, meaning they can carry and spread disease-causing organisms. [1, 1, 3, 3]
• Contamination: Cockroaches can contaminate food and food-handling surfaces through their droppings, saliva, or by simply walking over them. [1, 1, 2, 2]
• Disease Transmission: This contamination can lead to the spread of diseases like Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. [1, 1, 3, 3]
• Examples of Diseases: [2, 2]
• Salmonellosis: A type of food poisoning causing diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. [2, 2, 4, 4]
• E. coli infections: These can also cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. [2, 2]
• Staphylococcus infections: These can lead to food poisoning symptoms like nausea and vomiting. [2, 2, 4]
Debris and mold removal - Scrub porch area with Diluted clorox. Allowed allergens and pest access from open dryer vents tape closed and the use of Steel wool pads around water pipes helps stop pest infestation.
Permitted - Electrical Tape helps prevents pest infestation around Light mounts
Improperly installed airduct's airvent - Fiber board repairs Drywall and a in/out air vent replacement with louver door shall lower Energy bills...
Improperly installed Airvent acts like a chimney stack without airduct permitting allergens in home.
Breach of the Warranty of Habitability
Under Tennessee law, landlords are required to maintain properties that are safe and livable. This includes:
Functional Systems: Ensuring HVAC, plumbing, and other essential systems are in working order.
Safe Environment: Keeping the property free from hazards like mold, pests, and structural issues.
KCDC's failure to address these problems isn't just neglect—it's a violation using racial discrimination and retaliating against my rights as a tenant.
Ignoring Disability Accommodations: My Battle with Nickel And Allergies
Living with a nickel allergy means that exposure to certain metals can cause severe reactions. Despite informing KCDC of my condition, they installed nickel-plated fixtures, leading to:
Health Issues: Painful skin reactions and other health complications.
Emotional Stress: The constant worry about Randon Gas exposure in my own home.
This disregard for improperly working plumbing affecting my health needs is not only insensitive but also a violation of the Fair Housing Act, which mandates reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, irregardless of race.
Figure 2: Skin reaction due to nickel and allergy exposure.
Seeking Justice and Safe Living Conditions
I'm not just sharing my story—I'm taking action. My goals include:
Demanding Repairs: Addressing the maintenance issues that compromise safety and health.
Ensuring Accommodations: Replacing fixtures with allergy-safe alternatives.
Legal Recourse: Exploring options for compensation and holding KCDC accountable for their negligence in the Smoky Mountain Smelters Watershed District.
Here’s your Natural Pest-Repellent Garden Layout diagram!
It visually arranges:
Marigold and Catnip along the front,
Mint as a dense mid-layer,
Queen Anne’s Lace as beneficial insect attractors in the center,
Lavender and Chrysanthemums forming a tall protective back row.
Here's the labeled planting chart based on the layout below, including tree, shrub, and pest-repellent flower selections tailored for an effective, sustainable garden:
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Flow-Adjusted Planting Chart: Trees, Shrubs, and Pest-Repellent Flowers
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Planting Design Flow:
Outer Border:
Dense Marigold, Mint (in pots), and Catnip rows to intercept crawling insects.
Mid-Field / Inner Paths:
Mixed Lavender, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Chrysanthemums for fragrant pest disruption and pollinator support.
Central Axis and Back:
Robust Shrubs and graceful Trees to create multi-height ecological shelter, buffer winds, and promote stormwater infiltration.
---
Notes for Installation:
Mint and Catnip: Keep potted or use root barriers underground.
Tree Spacing: Space River Birch and Redbud at least 15–20 feet apart.
Shrub Spacing: Space Buttonbush, Elderberry, and Dogwood 5–8 feet apart.
Water Needs: Most selected species tolerate periodic heavy rains and droughts once established.
Thanks to EPA for sharing the maps for the Superfund Smoky Mountain Smelters with Montgomery Village residents living in the proximity of the Smoky Mountain Smelters site (June 2014 Preferred Remedial Alternative). This image by AI provides key hydrological data like groundwater flow, surface water paths, monitoring wells (MWV), and proposed RCRA caps. Based on this, here’s how we can landscape a phytoremediating rainforest-style buffer system tailored for Knoxville’s climate and the site's industrial contamination:
SITE-SPECIFIC LANDSCAPING STRATEGY
1. Prioritize Vegetative Buffers Along Flow Arrows:
The blue contour lines and arrows indicate groundwater and surface water flow toward Montgomery Village Apartments.
Plant a dense vegetative buffer along the western and southern edges of the contaminated area, especially between MWV14 and MWV17A–MWV13A (per the groundwater plume path).
2. Use Tiered Vegetation Zones for Max Effectiveness:
ZONE A: Upland Perimeter Near Cap (Dry Edge)
Plants: Switchgrass, Eastern Gamagrass, Goldenrod
Function: Phytoremediation and sediment control
Enhancement: Add biochar to soil for metal absorption
ZONE B: Sloped Groundwater Flow Paths
Plants: Buttonbush, Red Osier Dogwood, Elderberry
Function: Intercept shallow subsurface contaminants; erosion control
Technique: Staggered berms or bioswale channels
ZONE C: Riparian Low Zone near MWV13A – MWV14
Plants: Black Willow, Bald Cypress, Soft Rush, River Birch
Function: Slow stormwater, phytoremediate metals and nitrate runoff
Soil Boost: Compost + mycorrhizal inoculants for root enhancement
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ADDITIONAL STRATEGIC NOTES
Terraced Swales: Guide surface runoff toward densely vegetated lowlands for maximum filtration.
Wildlife Integration: Use Elderberry and Sunflowers to attract pollinators and birds, enhancing biodiversity.
Aluminum Adsorption Plants: Include Indian Mustard in non-public zones for metal-specific uptake.
Monitoring Plot: Establish 3 test plots near MWV12, MWV13A, and the south edge of the cap for performance tracking.
Your Rights Matter
If you're living at Montgomery Village in S. Knoxville near Smoky Mountain Smelters and facing similar challenges, know that you're not alone, and there are steps you can take:
Document Everything: Keep records of all communications and issues.
Know the Law: Familiarize yourself with tenant rights and disability accommodations.
Seek Support: Reach out to legal aid organizations or tenant unions for assistance.
Remember, everyone deserves a safe and healthy place to call home.
EVICTION COURT -
KCDC hires maintenance workers that couldn't adequately utilize a tape measure to repair the ceiling leaking from too much water condensation on the HVAC pipes forming from air sucked in like the vacuum in a chimney from the outside through the faulty in/out vents in the building, itself, therefore, the apartment has radon gas, therefore, it was appropriate to seal off the vents.
Isn't doctor assisted suicide illegal?
The Judge said that she would dismiss court costs of approximately $5k and paying rent with KCDC cont. or I may leave and not go to the doctor and $5k in court costs shall be dismissed!
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