Unclean, Unhealthy Conditions at Richland Community Center - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

RAYVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Living conditions at the Richland Community Center are unsanitary for elderly and disabled residents. 

Management asked that we did not use any footage from inside the facility. On a tour with residents Sunday, there was dirt and trash swept into every corner and even urine and vomit in the stairwells.

After contacting the new management of the apartment, they said that any conditions seen Sunday occurred over the weekend and were not present when management left Friday, or when an inspection of the property was completed by Rural Health on Friday.

Some residents say the complex has looked like this for a while, though.

"They just need to clean this place up cause it's a health hazard and they don't seem to care whether we live in filth or not," says Marilyn Crawford, 70, "a lot of us don't have good immune systems, and it's just bad, bad."

The historical main building was once Rayville High School and has the potential to be a beautiful place to live. One resident who wants to remain anonymous said the broken lights outside and cob webs on the doors almost looks intentional saying "it looks like a haunted house at night."

Residents gathered their resources and hired a lawn service on their own. They say the high grass is causing a serious mosquito problem and something had to be done.

Management responded saying a full property cleaning is schedule for early this week. If residents are creating the mess, managers plan to evict. If outsiders are the cause, police will be notified.

The new management at Richland Community Center has been there only a month. Residents can only hope that property managers stick to their word. 

KNOE will continue to follow the apartment's progress.