Manor Independent Living, a senior‑living community at 8000 Calmont Avenue in Fort Worth’s historic Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, is grappling with serious health‑and‑safety problems. Long‑time resident Latrice Tucker, 67, recalls a well‑kept courtyard and active social calendar when the building first opened. Five years later, she and dozens of other older adults describe unsanitary conditions, leaking ceilings and unused common areas.
Unpaid utilities lead to trash buildup
During a site visit on Aug. 19, the Fort Worth Report observed full trash bags piled in first‑floor rooms, dumpsters overflowing, and flies swarming the corridors. The North Texas Fair Housing Center (NTFHC) confirmed that trash‑pickup balances exceeding $5,000 have gone unpaid since January, forcing residents to store garbage inside vacant units.
An email dated Aug. 3 from the former property manager to staff at Endeavor Group Real Estate (EGRE), the building’s owner, listed overdue utility balances of $1,255 for gas, $16,989 for electric and $9,605 for water. The same email cited multiple leaks on the first floor caused by clogged and broken pipes, resulting in wastewater rising through floors and shower drains.
Leaks, mold and elevator failures
Water damage is evident throughout the building. Buckets placed on the second floor catch drips, and a ceiling tile on the first floor showed black mold. Residents such as 83‑year‑old Marine Corps veteran Rob Walton, whose rent is covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, report ongoing leaks that require them to empty buckets placed outside their doors.
Elevator problems have also endangered mobility‑challenged seniors. One elevator broke down and trapped a custodian, requiring a fire‑department rescue. Another elevator was out of service for an extended period before being reset by maintenance staff.
Residents struggle with limited options
NTFHC fair‑housing manager Aaron Renaud explained that many tenants have physical disabilities, fixed incomes and limited transportation, making relocation difficult. Some rely on Meals on Wheels, while others, like Tucker and her partner Gary Daniel, take the bus to Walmart and cook at home.
Veterans’ nonprofit Homeless Military Veterans stepped in after being contacted by EGRE. President Kelly Hall said the organization paid the overdue utilities and arranged for trash pickup on Wednesday, aiming to restore normal operations and reopen the dining room.
Ownership and legal backdrop
EGRE acquired and renamed the property in May 2024, promoting it as affordable senior housing for adults who do not qualify for subsidated units but cannot afford high‑priced retirement communities. The company, together with Pramukh Mahant Senior Living Fort Worth, is listed as a parent of Calmont Villa FW LLC, the property’s legal owner.
In May, American Community Lending Holdings LLC sued EGRE and its affiliate for breach of a more‑than‑$6 million loan. The defendants denied the allegations and await court proceedings.
What’s next?
Hall indicated that Homeless Military Veterans hopes to eventually own the property and restart activities such as bingo, poker and daily meals. Until then, residents continue to face challenges stemming from “bad leadership” by on‑site management, according to Hall.
Legal experts note that when a landlord fails to pay utilities it agreed to provide, tenants may have the right to break their lease, though finding alternative affordable senior housing can be a lengthy process.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
