City responding to issues at Compass Pointe apartment complex

Galveston, Texas - The City of Galveston is concerned about ongoing problems for residents at the complex commonly referred to as Sandpiper Cove (officially called Compass Pointe) and the condition of the units.

Earlier this year, the City of Galveston and Galveston City Council denied support for the property owner’s federal housing tax credit application because of long-running maintenance issues with the 192-unit apartment complex that have not been resolved. Through pressure from the City of Galveston and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the property is now listed for sale.

Since Millenia Housing Management purchased the property in 2015, the City Manager's Office has maintained contact with the company. Despite some initial improvements, issues have persisted at the property and we have been disappointed in the property owner’s efforts to address these problems for their tenants.

Most recently, the City of Galveston learned that residents at the complex are dealing with extensive mold issues. In response, the City Manager contacted a representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is the governmental entity responsible for the oversight of Project-based Housing Voucher properties and tasked with the physical inspections of such complexes.

Representatives from the agency will perform an inspection of the property in January and determine the next steps for addressing problems at the complex. During this visit, the City Marshal’s Office will perform an inspection to determine if there are city code violations.

 The City of Galveston is limited in its ability to enforce issues on the property because the code enforcement department is not authorized to enter the property without permission. HUD does have this authority and has granted the City entrance to the property.

  “It is of grave concern the issues these residents are dealing with, including mold and faulty plumbing,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “The City is committed to doing what we can to ensure this housing complex is meeting city standards.”