Quad Cities residents ask federal agency to fix substandard living conditions

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - Residents and elected officials attended a town hall in Davenport Tuesday evening to address growing concerns over substandard living conditions and affordable housing in the Quad Cities.

It’s been nearly five months since the partial building collapse at 324 Main St. in Davenport where three people were killed. Those in attendance at Tuesday’s town hall will not be forgetting the disaster anytime soon.

Leaders from the Quad Cities Tenant Alliance and Quad Cities Interfaith are asking the federal government to step in to enforce proper inspections and invest in safe and affordable rental housing.

Dennis Platt, a volunteer with QC Tenant Alliance, is reaching out to residents in the Quad Cities to join a movement to help hold landlords and city inspectors accountable.

“People are responsible for creating this situation,” said Platt, “and people can be responsible for improving it.”

Speakers at Tuesday’s town hall say they believe there is not enough being done to resolve the housing issue in the Quad Cities so they are seeking help from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“The biggest issues that we would like to resolve with HUD is to ask them to come in to audit, investigate, enforce and invest in the Quad Cities,” said Platt, “we’ve got structures that need roofs, structures that need plumbing maintenance, structures that need windows, insulation, heating and air conditioning.”

The town hall was hosted at the Zion Lutheran Church. Pastor Clark-Olson Smith says it is important to give the community a place to speak, especially when in need.

“People need to have a voice,” said Smith, “and the ability to make change in their own communities and neighborhoods. They are the leaders of a movement in this community that will help not just themselves but everyone in the Quad Cities who’s a renter.”

Organizers say tenants with housing concerns should go to the QC Tenant Alliance website and click the link that allows them to submit a personalized message directly to local, regional and federal representatives for HUD. You can also see updates for future town hall meetings and other events.

You can visit their website here.

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