A Boarding Home Success

The Boarding Home Enforcement Unit’s main goal is to ensure that residents with mental and physical disabilities are living in a healthy and safe environment by providing educational outreach, regular inspections, and enforcing city ordinances.

In December, the Boarding Home Enforcement Unit discovered and closed an unknown boarding home after patrol received a call of a disturbance at the location. In the process of investigating the illegal boarding home, the team was able assist thirteen residents with immediate medical assistance, relocation, and housing. The team would not have known about the illegal boarding home if not for the bravery of a resident named Ms. Stevenson.

Ms. Stevenson suffers from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She told Officers she had not taken her medication in two days because another resident had stolen her prescription. Ms. Stevenson also made allegations of neglect and abuse by the managers of the Boarding Home. She described that residents were not being fed or given their medication as prescribed. Ms. Stevenson added that residents were locked in the home against their will and locked out if they did not obey house rules.

The Boarding Homes Team visited the home to find deplorable conditions. The home was in disarray, with the sink filled with old dried food in pots, multiple mattresses leaning against walls, and even human feces tracked through the house. The team found the smell of the house to be extremely unpleasant.

While on scene, Officers contacted the DA’s office for charges, Adult Protective Services for assistance and the Houston Fire Department to meet the immediate medical needs of the residents. In addition, Officer Llorente reached out to the Homeless Outreach Team to help assist with relocating the residents and removing them from the home. Ms. Stevenson relocated to better residence.

The next day, the Boarding Homes Team returned to find the house vacated and totally devoid of any trace of the deplorable conditions.

Ms. Stevenson contacted the Boarding Homes Team seeking assistance. She was fearful of returning to the home and feared for her safety. After meeting with Ms. Stevenson, the team transported her to her psychiatrist and renewed her stolen prescription. The team took her to Walgreens to get her medication. The team was able to get her placed in a new and safe boarding home by that evening.