The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is asking the owner of Jacksonville’s low-income housing complex Eureka Gardens to beef up security following a mass shooting Monday.
The current owner may have secured a buyer for the troubled complex.
Fielding questions Tuesday from Jacksonville city councilors, State Representative Mia Jones and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, HUD representative Lauryn Alleva said Global Ministries Foundation is in the process of nailing down a buyer for all six of its Jacksonville properties.
“There will be an extremely stringent review of that owner. Not only looking at whether or not they have experience owning multifamily properties, but looking at what capital is available to make immediate repairs,” she said.
Alleva said if Eureka Gardens’ owner agrees to sell to the unnamed company, which could be as soon as next month, HUD will ensure it's up to the task of repairing the complex immediately.
Meanwhile, HUD Secretary Julian Castro is requesting a review after seven people were shot Monday.
“We are requiring that they get a separate, private security assessment to assess what else can be done on the property to increase security,” Alleva said.
A private security force hired by Global Ministries splits its time patrolling Eureka Gardens and the Washington Heights complex.
