Louisville Metro Housing Authority looking into possible demolition of Dosker Manor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Plagued with maintenance issues, safety concerns and deplorable living conditions, Dosker Manor's days might be numbered.

Elizabeth Strojan, who took over as executive director of the Louisville Metro Housing Authority last November, wants the public housing building torn down and rebuilt.

Strojan told Metro Council members on Wednesday that the housing is too expensive to operate and rehabilitation would cost a fortune.

"It is not ideal to substantially rehabilitate," Strojan told the council. "Our best option, we believe, is to demolish the existing buildings and rebuild replacement housing both on- and off-site."

Dosker Manor was originally designated as apartments for adult senior citizens. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal agency that funds LMHA, required the agency to accept residents with physical and mental disabilities. Then, the city placed many unhoused individuals in the units.

Now, providing service for Dosker Manor's residents has put a strain on the LMHA's budget.

"All of those populations have serious, distinct needs and frankly, LMHA has not done a good job of getting those met," said Strojan, adding that the agency needs more case workers.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg's city budget, which he presented to Metro Council last month, includes $238,000 for LMHA for social services and pest control. But both are just a temporary solution to bigger problems — such as deplorable living conditions that are almost beyond repair.

"We are in the process of planning what relocation would like like, and that is an intensive process because it's a lot of people," Strojan said. "It's a lot of one-bedroom units, and efficiency units, and that is something that we have a shortage of in the city of Louisville."

For some residents, like Sharon Wamer, Dosker Manor is home and the idea of moving is scary.

"This is my place of home ... my home," said Wamer, who has lived at Dosker for the past 10 years.

The first resident relocation meeting will be held May 21. Any demolition of the public housing property must have approval from HUD.

The public housing complex has had many problems for years, and WDRB reporting this year shed a light on deplorable conditions for residents, including a bed bug infestation and violent crime. Louisville Metro Council once called LMHA the city's worst slum lord. Numerous issues like unsafe and unsanitary living conditions and a lack of maintenance have plagued many of the city's housing complexes like Dosker Manor for years.

LMHA is asking residents to participate in a 50-question survey in an effort to help them determine how to fix issues at Dosker Manor. All survey respondents will get a $30 gift card. To register, call 502-569-1188 or 502-569-3753. Walks-ins will also be accepted at the LMHA office at 420 South 8th Street.

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