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In the aftermath of Thursday’s storm, Independence Hall, an affordable independent living complex catering to seniors and individuals with disabilities, faced numerous challenges as power outages affected more than 260 units.
Residents encountered various difficulties, with some being trapped in electric beds and others unable to leave their units due to dead electric wheelchairs and scooters. The loss of power also impacted essential medical equipment like electric oxygen compressors, leaving residents unable to call for assistance as their phones died.
The Houston Fire Department had to intervene on Sunday to aid at least two residents who were unable to arrange transportation for dialysis appointments and were suffering from dehydration, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who accused the building’s ownership and management of neglecting residents like Thomas Wilkin during the crisis.
Wilkin, a double-amputee, found himself stranded in his second-story apartment after his electric wheelchair lost power, enduring hardships until electricity was restored on Sunday. With food supplies dwindling and no means of cooking, Wilkin expressed concerns about survival.
ABC13 reached out to the head of the building’s non-profit management group, who explained the complex’s history dating back to its establishment in the 1970s under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 236 program. Despite receiving a $2 million renovation loan from the City of Houston in 2002 through HUD’s HOME partnership, the facility’s management emphasized their legal obligations, or lack thereof, in providing emergency protections to residents, citing the nature of independent living arrangements.
While federal and city funding has been allocated to accommodate hundreds of vulnerable residents, the management clarified that they are not legally bound to install backup generators or conduct post-storm wellness checks. However, Lone Star Legal Aid, a tenant’s rights organization, indicated that they are examining individual cases to explore potential exceptions and protections for residents.