As TNN continues its investigation into the Teen Service / Teen Haven transitional housing facility located on the Happy Valley/Fort Hamilton property, troubling new allegations are emerging from former tenants who describe conditions they say were unsafe, unsanitary, and mishandled by the leadership tasked with managing the residence.
The matter remains unresolved as questions grow surrounding the mismanagement, misuse, and neglect of the property by those overseeing the facility — specifically the executive director.
Today, another former resident stepped forward to share her experience, detailing what she describes as two years of structural deterioration, water crises, inadequate oversight, and a lack of basic support.
“Significant Structural Damage Everywhere”
The former tenant, who recently moved out, says the building’s disrepair was impossible to ignore.
“I was there for two years, and thank God I just recently left. There was significant structural damage — especially on the upstairs stairwell and one of the doors. Several downstairs doors didn’t even open.”
She described the final functioning downstairs door being destroyed when a child slammed it shut, causing the hinges to detach from the frame.
“We couldn’t use the downstairs door at all afterward. Everyone had to enter from upstairs and walk all the way down.”
Rainfall, she says, made conditions even worse.
“There’s major water damage on the stairwell. Every time it rained, water leaked inside. They had to put buckets and towels everywhere.”
The former resident also reported mold in at least one downstairs room, likely due to long-term water damage.
• Tenants Paying Fees but Unable to Wash Laundry
Residents paid $1200 per month for accommodation and an additional $50 for access to the facility’s laundry services. Yet tenants were forced to wash their clothes off-site.
Water issues began in March of this year, when residents were told the tank and well were failing.
“They said it would take eight weeks to fix and that we couldn’t use the laundry. We asked if they would give us pre-loaded cards so we could wash elsewhere using the money they already collect from us. They told us we had to find our own way — laundromat, friends, family. It became an added expense.”
She confirms there were periods when residents had no running water at all, sometimes for days.
“We woke up some mornings and couldn’t shower or get ready for work. Some evenings we came home and couldn’t bathe our kids or cook — nothing. No water.”
• Stress on Parents and Children
The former resident recalled how the lack of water and poor living conditions deeply affected families — especially mothers with young children.
“One resident became very stressed. When you’re not given a basic necessity like water, and you’re told to just deal with it, it wears you down. She started projecting that stress onto her children.”
Thankfully, she reveals, the mother eventually left the facility and is now in a more stable environment.
• Leadership Response: “Deflecting Rather Than Addressing”
She confirmed multiple interactions with Executive Director Wendy Augustus, who she says failed to take concerns seriously.
“It was always like, ‘Yes, it happened, but…’ She deflected. She didn’t address the issue at hand.”
When asked who should bear responsibility for the facility’s problems, the former tenant was clear:
“I personally feel it falls on the executive director — Miss Wendy Augustus.”
• Twelve Rooms Soon to Be Occupied Despite Problems
According to the former resident, the facility is set to have all 12 rooms fully occupied by Christmas, despite many issues remaining unresolved.
“The water was only addressed around mid to late August — after months of problems. We even went two days once without water because, as they told us, ‘we didn’t realize the pump was running’ or ‘we didn’t know we were out of water.’”
She emphasized the importance of hygiene, especially for women.
“For females, hygiene is paramount. These conditions were unacceptable.”
How Bad Is It? A 7.5 Out of 10 … on the Bad Scale
When asked to rate the facility from 1 to 10 — with 10 being the worst — she did not hesitate:
“Seven and a half.”
She further confirmed that no real programming is being offered to residents — despite the facility being promoted as a transitional and supportive environment.
TNN Will Continue to Investigate
Serious questions remain about the management of Teen Haven, the safety of its residents, the use of public or donor funds, and the oversight — or lack thereof — by the chairman and leadership team.
As more former tenants come forward, TNN will continue its investigation into the conditions at the Happy Valley/Fort Hamilton facility, the accountability of those in charge, and the concerns families raise about a building set to be fully occupied by year’s end.
This is an ongoing investigation. Stay tuned for further updates.
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