Shreveport to Shut Off Water at Sanctuary Apartments Over $125,000 Landlord Debt

Shreveport will be turning off the water to the Sanctuary Apartments on Valley View today.

Community Development Director Verni Howard tells KEEL News she sent a team to the complex to find out how many residents are still living at the facility. The tenants have been paying for the water bills as part of the rent, but the landlord has not been forwarding that money to the city. The owner owes more than $125,000 for overdue water bills.

Howard tells KEEL News there are 28 units occupied of 134 total. She says there are 60 people still living in the complex and 7 of them are school-aged children.

She says many of the tenants get housing vouchers and her team is working to find alternative house for each of these families.

Shreveport Sanctuary Apartment Demographics

Howard tells us more about the people living at the Sanctuary Apartments.

• Residents Served: Current residents include 15 people with disabilities and 18 elderly individuals.
• She says one of the residents has lived at this complex since 1969.
• Families & Children: The plan addresses school-aged children, noting 7 school-aged kids currently affected.

What Is the City of Shreveport Doing for these Residents

Howard says the city team is finding hotel rooms or alternative housing for these 28 families. She also says they will be providing food vouchers to help cover the nutrition needs. Howard also tells us Sportran will be available for help in transporting these folks to new homes or hotels.

Howard says her team hopes to have an answer for all of the families by this afternoon when the water is expected to be turned off.