ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A municipal court judge is demanding swift action from Cedar Ave Apartment management, ordering several urgent repairs and safety measures to be completed by Dec. 8.

During Monday’s court hearing, the judge directed management to immediately purchase new refrigerators and stoves for units that lack them. She also ordered management to hire pest control to treat necessary units and instructed code enforcement to evacuate one tenant from a unit deemed hazardous.

“I thought nobody cared about us,” Farnorris Walker, a Cedar Ave. Apartment resident, said after the hearing. “I’m just happy and shining on the inside because we got some help.”

Other long-standing maintenance problems: broken AC units, plumbing issues and damaged flooring, must also be addressed, though the judge did not set a deadline for those repairs.

Residents testified that property manager Talao Lemon had been unreachable for months, not responding to emails or texts. Many said today was the first time they had seen her in person in weeks. “It feels good for someone to understand our request and to know that we did deserve better,” resident Whitley Wilkerson said. “We were so lost… but we’ve seen them today for the first time, and I’m blessed to see and hear the things they’re willing to do to help us.”

Jonathan Harris, who took over the management company in June, told the judge that repairs have stalled because the complex has had “no income” in recent months. Of the 42 tenants, he said only five have paid rent consistently, and a HUD funding pause from August through November left the property without its primary revenue sources.

Harris said the complex finally received HUD funding on Nov. 14 and that repairs can now begin.

Resident Rosa Wilson said she hopes the judge’s orders force long-overdue changes. “She wanted a lot of stuff done today,” Wilson said. “I’m glad she was able to get it ordered so they can see the severity of our complaints… I hope the relationship between the tenants and the management will get better.”

Cedar Ave Apartment management said they where not available to talk after the court hearing. They have until next week to prove to the court and to residents that repairs are underway.

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