Residents at the Calvert Square public housing complex in Norfolk have experienced significant hardships, enduring weeks without adequate heating as winter temperatures plummet. The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) issued advisories beginning on December 5, 2023, regarding a heating outage, but many residents assert that issues have persisted much longer, with some reporting problems dating back to late October.
Whitney Spearman, a long-term resident of Calvert Square, highlighted the dire conditions during a board meeting on Thursday, stating she has been without heat since October 28, 2023. That day, the property management activated the complex’s aging boiler system, which led to flooding from a burst radiator in her unit. Spearman described how she and her four-year-old son were briefly relocated to a model unit, only to find that it too lacked heat. The small space heater provided to them was insufficient for their needs, leading to further complications when using a second heater caused power outages in their unit.
The complex, established in 1957, currently houses around 280 families out of 310 available units. Residents have reported additional issues, including flooding from burst pipes and unexpected fees when relocated to temporary hotels. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia’s deputy director, Melissa Bonfiglio, informed NRHA’s board that some residents faced a $100 incidental deposit at hotels, forcing at least one family to walk back to Calvert Square in inclement weather.
As temperatures are forecast to dip into the low 20s on an upcoming Sunday night, the urgency for a resolution has intensified. On Thursday, Spearman noted that heat had finally been restored in her temporary accommodation, but her original unit has since been condemned. She expressed frustration that the heating issue was only addressed following media coverage, raising concerns about her son’s health, particularly regarding his asthma, which she believes worsened due to the cold.
The NRHA has stated that they are committed to resolving the heating issues and will remain on-site until repairs are completed. They anticipate a clearer timeline for repairs after necessary materials are scheduled to arrive. The authority acknowledged that initial responses to resident complaints were handled individually but escalated to a full-scale assessment in November as more cases emerged.
Criticism of the NRHA’s handling of the situation has come from both the board of commissioners and city officials. Commissioner Amy Chudzinski emphasized that ensuring residents have heat is a priority, while fellow commissioner Philip Smith described the testimonials from affected families as “heartbreaking.” Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander also weighed in, asserting that no resident should have to rely on inadequate heating solutions or incur costs for temporary accommodations, urging the NRHA to cover all related expenses.
As the NRHA confronts these challenges, it is also undergoing management changes. The board voted to terminate the contract of former executive director Nathan Simms in November, appointing Michael Clark as the interim executive director. Clark began his role on December 8, 2023, as the search for a permanent replacement continues.
The heating outages at Calvert Square reflect broader issues within the city’s public housing system, underscoring the urgent need for effective management and timely responses to resident needs. As the NRHA works to address these problems, the situation remains a critical focus for both residents and local leaders.
