Tenants scramble for housing after Milwaukee apartment buildings boarded up
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - More than 40 people were left without a place to stay Wednesday after the city boarded up two Milwaukee apartment buildings near 23rd and Michigan.
Tenants said they were given just 30 minutes to leave.
Shonda Butcher was forced to evacuate her home. She said she was told, “You got 30 minutes to get what you can grab, your most important things.”
That left tenants scrambling to gather what they could.
Barbara Brown was also forced to evacuate her home. She said, “I got two bags together and grabbed my purse.”
Barbara Brown
Brown said many of her belongings remain inside the building.
“All of my personal belongings are in there, all my electronics, important papers that I need. Stuff that I own. Which isn't much but it’s something to me,” Brown said.
The city said inspectors found problems with the electrical system and fire alarm, and the buildings could not be occupied.
The buildings are owned by Sam Stair, who is under federal indictment.
According to a criminal complaint filed in April, Stair is accused of renting properties to drug traffickers for use as stash and trap houses. The complaint also alleges Stair used drug traffickers as security at some properties and mixed drug-trafficking proceeds with rental income.
The complaint lists Stair as a target for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to maintain a drug trafficking place, using communications to facilitate drug felonies and money laundering.
Meanwhile, tenants said they are still trying to figure out where they will stay.
“Basically, anywhere I can. Last night I stayed with a family member but tonight, I don’t know what tonight holds,” Brown said.
Butcher said, “They have a roof over their head but what about us and we pay our rent.”
The city said community advocates were at the scene Wednesday to assist tenants with housing needs.
