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[The following article was originally printed in the JournalNews' 2/20/06 issue.]

HAMILTON, OHIO -- The owners and management company of a half-burned apartment building in downtown Hamilton are now the focus of lawsuit.

The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati filed the lawsuit filed in Butler County Common Pleas Court Friday on behalf of a group of local residents displaced from Miami Manor apartments following an August arson.

The lawsuit, which names nine former tenants and the Miami Manor Tenants Association as plaintiffs, asks that repairs begin immediately to the site and seeks compensation for damages up to $25,000 for each plaintiff.

The apartment building, owned by Apartment Investment and Management Company and managed by an Oxford branch of Emerson Group, catered to more than 20 low-income and disabled residents whose rents were subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

After the August blaze, the third arson in a two-week span at the complex, former tenants of the Second Street building moved into hotel rooms in Monroe. The rooms were paid for by AIMCO.

The plaintiffs also want to be relocated into the city of Hamilton while repairs take place, according to the suit.

“Plaintiffs, all of whom are low-income and either elderly or disabled, want to return to their apartments at Miami Manor,” the lawsuit states. “Since the fire, plaintiffs have had difficulty accessing their personal property. Oftentimes when they return tot their homes, the front doors to their apartments are unlocked or wide open.... The owners of Miami Manor received substantial benefit from HUD and must now live up to their commitment and repair Miami Manor and allow the tenants to return to their homes.”

AIMCO officials said Monday that they have yet to see the lawsuit and declined to comment.

Headquartered in Denver, Colo., AIMCO is the nation's leading property owner of project-based Section 8 housing with apartments communities in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Judy Stowell, a spokeswoman for AIMCO, said her company has informed legal aid that it is in the process of arranging a meeting with residents to discuss “short-term housing solutions that may better meet their needs pending rehabilitation” of Miami Manor.

AIMCO officials have said the sale of the property is contingent upon a buyer agreeing to a low-income use restriction.


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	[The following article was originally printed in the JournalNews' 2/20/06 issue.] Former Tenants Sue Miami Manor by Lisa A. Bernard HAMILTON, OHIO -- The owners and management company of a half-burned apartment building in downtown Hamilton are now the focus of lawsuit. The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati filed the lawsuit filed in Butler County Common Pleas Court Friday on behalf of a group of local residents displaced from Miami Manor apartments following an August arson. The lawsuit, which names nine former tenants and the Miami Manor Tenants Association as plaintiffs, asks that repairs begin immediately to the site and seeks compensation for damages up to $25,000 for each plaintiff. The apartment building, owned by Apartment Investment and Management Company and managed by an Oxford branch of Emerson Group, catered to more than 20 low-income and disabled residents whose rents were subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. After the August blaze, the third arson in a two-week span at the complex, former tenants of the Second Street building moved into hotel rooms in Monroe. The rooms were paid for by AIMCO. The plaintiffs also want to be relocated into the city of Hamilton while repairs take place, according to the suit. “Plaintiffs, all of whom are low-income and either elderly or disabled, want to return to their apartments at Miami Manor,” the lawsuit states. “Since the fire, plaintiffs have had difficulty accessing their personal property. Oftentimes when they return tot their homes, the front doors to their apartments are unlocked or wide open.... The owners of Miami Manor received substantial benefit from HUD and must now live up to their commitment and repair Miami Manor and allow the tenants to return to their homes.” AIMCO officials said Monday that they have yet to see the lawsuit and declined to comment. Attempts to reach representatives with Emerson were unsuccessful Monday. Headquartered in Denver, Colo., AIMCO is the nation's leading property owner of project-based Section 8 housing with apartments communities in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Judy Stowell, a spokeswoman for AIMCO, said her company has informed legal aid that it is in the process of arranging a meeting with residents to discuss “short-term housing solutions that may better meet their needs pending rehabilitation” of Miami Manor. Company officials have said they are negotiating to sell the property. AIMCO officials have said the sale of the property is contingent upon a buyer agreeing to a low-income use restriction. ### Article citation: Bernard, Lisa A. "Former Tenants Sue Miami Manor." JournalNews (Feb. 20, 2006). <http://www.journal-news.com/local/content/news/stories/2006/02/20/ hjn022106miamimanor.html>.
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