STEVE COHEN 9TH DISTRICT, TENNESSEE 2404 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 nf l?nitrh $161125 'i'llnuap 11f i?pmpapntatiura EOE 21151542119 TELEPHONE: {202] 225-3265 FAX: [202} 225?5663 CLIFFORD HORTON FEDERAL BUILDING 167 NORTH MAIN STREET SUITE 369 MEMPHIS, TN 38103 TELEPHONE: 544-4131 FAX: (901} 544-4329 .house.gov April 13,2015 The Honorable Julian Castro Secretary Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street SW. Washington, DC. 20410 Dear Secretary Castro: COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEES: CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL JUSTICE - RANKING MEMBER COURTS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE INTERNET COM ITTE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEES: AVIATION HIGHWAYS AND TRANSIT WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE HELSINKI COMMISSIONI I read with great concern this weekend recent reports1 that described alarming conditions in federally subsidized-housing in Memphis. According to an article a unit in the Warren Apartments in Memphis had holes in the walls made by rats, exposed electrical wiring, broken windows, no working lights, a moldy bathroom, a leaky roof and doors missing knobs. The article also reported similar conditions at the Goodwill Village apartments in Memphis. As a champion for safe, affordable housing, I am sure you will agree this is unacceptable. I spoke with John Gemmill, the Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Of?ce in Memphis, and he also shares my concerns with the conditions at the properties. Given these concerns, I would respectfully request answers to the following questions: 1. What is the Department doing to ensure that the apartments in Memphis are brought up to code? 2. Does the Department have suf?cient resources to alleviate the concerns and assist the residents at Warren and Goodwill Village apartments? 3. DO you believe HUD, the Department of Treasury, or the Department of Justice would be the proper agency to investigate published allegations that family employees of Global Ministry Foundation Chief Executive Of?cer were not disclosed as employees on Internal Revenue forms as required? Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and for your continued commitment to strong, sustainable neighborhoods. 1 4/12/15 Memphis Commercial Appeal, ?Apartments suffer as nonprofit owner shifts funds to mission work? 4/9/15 WHBQ-TV, ?City And Religious Group Have Stake In Infested Apartments? PRINTED 0N RECYCLED PAPER Beam As always, I remain, Most sincerely, ve Cohen Member of Congress