Residents of Calvert Square, a public housing complex in Norfolk, Virginia, have faced severe heating outages for weeks, prompting criticism of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA). The authority began issuing advisories on December 5 regarding the heating issues, but many tenants report that the problems began much earlier.
Whitney Spearman, a resident for over four years, stated she had been without heat since October 28, 2023, the day the complex’s aging heating system was activated. Spearman, along with her 4-year-old son, was temporarily relocated to a model unit after flooding from a burst radiator damaged her home. Despite the move, they were given inadequate space heaters, leaving them in uncomfortable conditions. “This is a community-wide failure,” Spearman expressed during a board meeting with the NRHA.
Residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the NRHA’s response. Some have reported flooding from burst pipes and unexpected costs when relocated to hotels. Spearman received a space heater no larger than a phone book, which failed to adequately heat her unit. When she attempted to use a second heater, the circuit overloaded, cutting off power to part of her home.
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia’s deputy director, Melissa Bonfiglio, highlighted additional issues at the NRHA board meeting. She noted that some residents were offered hotel accommodations instead of space heaters but faced unexpected fees. One resident was turned away from a hotel due to not having a required deposit, forcing her to walk back to Calvert Square with her young children.
The heating problems affect a significant portion of the complex, with about 280 of the 310 units occupied. The complex, built in 1957, is due for future redevelopment, with plans for a mixed-use development expected to begin as early as 2027.
As temperatures in Norfolk have begun to drop, the urgency of the situation has escalated. The forecast predicts highs around 51 degrees Fahrenheit and lows dipping into the low 20s over the weekend. The NRHA stated that it is assisting residents and will remain on-site until the heating issues are resolved. Moreover, the authority is expected to provide an update on repair timelines after necessary materials arrive on December 12, 2023.
In light of the ongoing crisis, NRHA commissioners, including Amy Chudzinski and Philip Smith, have expressed sympathy for affected residents and criticized the lack of communication from the authority. Mayor Kenny Alexander condemned the situation, insisting that no resident should have to rely on inadequate heating solutions or bear the costs associated with the heating failure. He emphasized that the NRHA should cover all expenses incurred by residents due to this failure.
City Manager Pat Roberts also urged the NRHA to treat the heating situation as an emergency and offered city resources to assist. The board’s recent decision to terminate the contract of former executive director Nathan Simms and appoint Michael Clark as interim director may signal a shift in how the authority addresses such critical issues moving forward.
As the NRHA continues to navigate this crisis, residents like Spearman remain hopeful yet cautious about the future. She expressed concern for her son’s health, believing the lack of heat has worsened his asthma. “He’s coughed until he vomited, making him miss school,” she said, raising fears about the long-term impact of the housing authority’s negligence on her child’s well-being. The situation at Calvert Square highlights the pressing need for timely maintenance and effective communication within public housing systems.
