LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Approximately 85 families in Henderson are left in limbo in the Somerset Park Townhome community with major plumbing issues. The City of Henderson says it is not safe to live there unless urgent repairs are made.
The new HOA for the community told the city they don’t have money to make the repairs. Now people are trying to figure out if they will be forced to leave.
Residents got a letter on their doors Monday from the City of Henderson saying the community water system is no longer incompliance with city law. The city says they must be repaired by the HOA for residents to stay.
“The letter is telling us we have until September 10th to evacuate,” shared Kendra Day, a mom of six children living in the community.
“It has been extremely, extremely frustrating. I couldn’t even work. I tried to get answers, tried to get help. I don’t know where me and my kids are going to go,” Day revealed to FOX5.
Ruptured pipes resulting in flooded streets can be seen throughout the Somerset Park Townhome community. One area was so flooded, residents say a sinkhole opened up and a car got trapped in it.
“Once that happened, the city came in and they closed it off so we can’t park in our driveways,” explained Irene Montano, a Somerset Park Townhome owner.
The city made an emergency repair and spotted a number of major issues: damage to the roads, parking lots, and potentially the structures themselves. They now say:
“The water distribution system…is creating an imminent hazard to health, safety, and welfare of the public.
As a result…The City of Henderson may need to terminate water service to the Somerset Park community.”
The homeowners report paying more than $300 a month in HOA fees. Their question: where is all the money paid over the years now?
“This was pretty much a safe haven until now, so I just don’t know what I am going to do now,” cried Montano, a grandma with a special needs toddler at home who works two jobs in order to make her mortgage.
Husband and wife Sarah D’Amato and Rick Martinez say being able to buy a home two months ago in such a tough housing market was the American Dream, now turned unexpected nightmare.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking because we put so much money on a down payment…It is very scary to know our house, we are going to end up losing it if nothing happens and we are still going to have to pay a mortgage,” Martinez contended.
FOX5 reached out to the old HOA. Their phone is disconnected and their website down. Again, the new HOA told the city they do not have the money for repairs. FOX5 also reached out them Tuesday evening to see if they would be offering any other kind of help and so far, have not heard back.
The City of Henderson is hosting informational meetings for residents Wednesday and Thursday. Both will be at the Henderson North Community Police Station from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.
The city also shared information for the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada: [email protected] or (702) 545-2398
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