LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Broken doors, bed bugs, and just days ago, a shooting. Louisville's Dosker Manor is a symbol for problematic public housing in the city.

Louisville Metro Housing Authority just got a new executive director, Elizabeth Strojan. She was among the officials at Wednesday's LMHA security and safety meeting.

Louisville Metro Police and the teams in charge of security talked about a number of issues they face when it comes to securing Dosker Manor.

The security team pointed out their two main concerns are trespassing and unauthorized residents. They said doors are often propped open and locks are easy to break. Another issue is the scaffolding on one building, which blocks a camera.

Hiring help is also difficult. Maj. Jerry Fifer, with the Heritage Creek Police Department, also helps with law enforcement at Dosker Manor. He said they don't have enough officers to cover every shift.

"Many of the officers are not interested in working in an off-duty capacity," Fifer said. "And many that are are not interested in working harder in their off-duty than in their on-duty capacity."

Drugs are another issue. One person living in the subsidized apartments said that the resident board members included drug dealers. This is all in addition to the conditions residents are living in.

"My first impression of Dosker Manor is that it's unacceptable, and I will work to change that," said Strojan.

Strojan is in her second week as the executive director of Louisville Metro Housing Authority.

"These problems have been decades in the making," she said. "We do not have decades to fix these problems."

She toured the buildings across the city before starting, but now it's time to start solving the immediate issues.

"And we need to figure out what that's going to cost," Strojan said. So we need to identify what needs to be done immediately, and what we can do with the resources that we have."

Due to the numerous problems, Metro Council is preparing to investigate LMHA. Strojan said she welcomes the microscope as she wraps up her second week in a long home improvement project.

"But what I've seen in the physical condition, the financial situation, the staffing situation, I think it is completely possible to turn things around," Strojan said. "And we will."

Strojan said she will also be working to fill the numerous job openings on her team. She's hoping for a chance, and some patience — which is wearing thin on those living in these conditions.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.