Military Families Sue Privatized Housing Company Over Toxic Mold at MacDill AFB

Lawsuit Alleges Toxic Mold in Military Housing

• 🎯 39 military families have filed a lawsuit against the Michaels organization, the company managing privatized housing at MacDill Air Force Base.
• ⚠️ The families claim they lived in homes infested with toxic mold, and their concerns were ignored by the housing management.

Health Impacts on Service Members and Children

• 🩺 Lieutenant Eric Provo experienced severe health deterioration, including blood pressure spikes and hospitalization, after living in a mold-ridden home.
• 🏥 An independent inspector confirmed mold growth throughout Provo's HVAC system, deeming the home unfit for occupancy.
• 👧 Major John Jensen's daughter suffered from consistent coughing for years, and his wife experienced debilitating migraines, linked to their housing conditions.
• 😷 Technical Sergeant Juan Torres's family also discovered extremely toxic levels of mold, including black mold in the HVAC system, after moving into their home.

Allegations of Fraud and Negligence

• 📉 The lawsuit accuses the defendants of a "cartel-like hold on the housing monopoly," alleging fraud and negligence.
• 🏠 The Jensen family discovered their home had a 7-year history of flooding and reported mold issues from previous tenants, which was not disclosed.
• 🤐 Families report a lack of response and "deafening silence" from Harbor Bay management when mold issues were reported.

Company and Base Response

• 🏢 The Michaels organization stated they have not received the litigation and it would be inappropriate to comment, emphasizing their priority is resident well-being.
• 🤝 MacDill Air Force Base leadership is actively engaged in holding Harbor Bay and the Michaels organization accountable to their contract.
• ⏳ The privatized housing agreement with Michaels has a 50-year lease, not due to expire until 2077.