COLUMBUS, Ohio — Life has taught Ann Barrett a lot of things, but the greatest lesson she’s learned is every chapter has an ending.
“I just focus and move on because you can’t look at the past,” she said.
And now, she’s finally able to close the chapter of Latitude Five25.
On Wednesday, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced that the former residents of the apartment complex will now be paid as a part of a $1.5 million tenant settlement.
Klein said in a statement, "This agreement is a major next step to seeing money put back in the pockets of tenants and sends a clear message that bad landlords operating unsafe, unsanitary properties in the city of Columbus will be held accountable for deplorable living conditions.”
Barrett is one of nearly 200 residents who were displaced on Christmas Day in 2022 after pipes burst causing heating and electrical problems.
“Many of the residents lost much,” said Barrett.
Residents spent the year in motels and eventually were placed in permanent housing.
Barrett said they have not yet been told how much money each resident will receive.
She knows whatever they receive, it won’t be able to erase everything she and others endured. It will, however, help them close that chapter of their lives.
The owners of the property Paxe Latitude have agreed to sell the property.
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