COLUMBUS, Ohio — Code enforcement announced Friday that 187 units of the Colonial Village Apartments must be vacated immediately because the units still don’t have heat.
Meanwhile, state representatives along with community activists collected donated items, like coats and blankets to make sure the more than 800 Haitian residents did not go without them this winter.
In October, the city was made aware of the residents that were brought to Columbus and told they had a legal lease at the Colonial Village Apartment complex.
That’s why Marc FeQuiere, CEO and president of the Haitian Community Network, and others were collecting and handing out items.
"We've had to double and triple our efforts,” said FeQuiere. “Over five, six hundred blankets and coats,” he said.
The city found hundreds of people living in deplorable conditions.
They, along with FeQuiere, are working to relocate people into hotels for the next three months paid for by the city.
State Representative Latyna Humphrey said she wanted to make sure people in her district had the necessities.
"What better way than to come together to give back to those who are least fortunate,” she said.
She said people within the community dropped off bags as early as Wednesday.
FeQuiere said they will have more donation collections in the future, but their priority right now is making sure people are out of the apartments.
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