‘You’re throwing me out on the streets’: Seven Port Wentworth residents ordered to vacate building deemed unlivable

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) - Seven residents were forced out of their homes after Port Wentworth code enforcement deemed their building unlivable due to no working fire alarm system and questionably structural walls and roofs.

The city gave tenants from May 6 until June 1 at noon to find somewhere else to stay, a timeline that residents called “unreasonable.”

“My problem is you’re throwing me out on the streets with only three weeks and I have no way or no time to do anything. That’s not enough time for hardly anybody to move, find a place, pay deposit and get started all over again,” said Michael Heyward, a Port Wentworth resident.

Heyward is a disabled senior. Another resident, Cleo Williams, has four kids and is expecting a grandchild soon.

Williams said he tried for an extension, telling code enforcement he’s in progress of buying a place but was not finished with the process.

“I asked him ‘could he at least extend our time,’ he said he was going to look into it and make a couple phone calls and get back with us…it’s 12:30 now, haven’t heard nothing from him,” Williams said.

The city responded to me at noon, around 45 minutes before messaging the tenants with a statement that said they were unable to give an extension. The city is reaching out to other partners and organizations like the Red Cross for help. Shortly after, a code enforcement officer placed new signs on the walls, warning of criminal charges for those who enter the building.

“I come to you like somebody who asks you for more time…you start this mess,” Williams said to the enforcement officer who put the signs up.

Williams has lived in the building for seven years, but Heyward moved in a little over a year ago. He said if they ruled the place as unlivable now, it should have been when he applied to live there. Much of the roof damage comes from a hurricane years ago.

Heyward said he was not told about the damage when he moved in and was never informed it was a health or safety hazard.

The property owner declined to comment.

Where the residents are staying is uncertain. Heyward said he is hoping to stay with a friend, and Williams and his family are hoping to stay at a family member’s place.

The City of Port Wentworth always considers the safety of our residents as the highest priority. On May 1, a inspection was conducted by the City’s Fire Marshal, Building Inspector, and Code Compliance staff, in conjunction with the building’s owners identified significant life-safety concerns within the structure. On May 6, the city issued its notice of unlivable conditions. 

Based on the findings from these inspections, the property was deemed unsafe for continued occupancy and a notice to vacate was issued. This building was not a marginal decision; the evidence was overwhelming. City staff and the property owner all agreed this was necessary. The inspections identified gaping holes in the roofs and ceilings, improper and unsafe electrical and fire safety issues, and major structural questions throughout.  

At that time, official notice was issued about the building and given to all of the then-current residents. While we understand the hardship this may create for the affected residents, the city has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of those living in structures that do not meet minimum safety standards. When the notice was issued, assistance and resource information were offered to residents. The City has reached out to other partners and organizations to try and help with relocation and support; this assistance remains ongoing. 

City of Port Wentworth