County executive urges Northern Village landlord to meet with tenants union

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is urging the landlord of the Northern Village Apartments to meet with the tenant’s union.

“Today, I met with the leaders of the Northern Village Tenants Union, and I left inspired by their determination to stand up for themselves and their neighbors,” Page said. ”Their demands are reasonable. They deserve to meet directly with property owner Mendel Fischer, have their concerns heard, and be treated with dignity and respect.

“I am especially concerned by reports that residents still do not have fully functioning heat and that property management has been locking its office doors. These residents deserve answers and action, not more excuses.”

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Tenants have told First Alert 4 the condition inside the apartment complex was unsafe and unlivable.

“We’ve gone through multiple ceiling cave-ins in our bedroom and bathroom. Water pours from the ceiling every time it rains. We’ve lost all the food in our fridge multiple times because the electricity is constantly being shut off,” a resident told First Alert 4 in October.

In late October, the tenants union and ArchCity Defenders delivered a petition signed by majority of residents about conditions and a demand for assistance to the County Council.

Page says he is also urging the County Council to approve $450,000 in emergency funding to help tenants facing displacement.

“My office will continue to stand up for the health and safety of the residents of Northern Village,” Page said.