Gottheimer Visits Brookside Terrace Apartments Following Fire Code Problems, Delayed Inspections

Following Gottheimer’s requests, HUD finally confirms upcoming inspection

Above: Gottheimer visits the fire-ravaged Brookside Terrace Apartments in Newton to push for fire code improvements.

Today, Tuesday, October 8, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the Brookside Terrace Apartments in Newton, after repeatedly calling on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to check in on progress made to correct fire code issues and ongoing delays reported by tenants, following the December 2018 fire that ripped through the apartment complex. Since the fire, Gottheimer has repeatedly written to HUD, requesting records, plans on past and current involvement, inspections since the fire, and plans to resolve residual issues. HUD has finally confirmed to Gottheimer that an inspection will be taking place.

“The tenants here are still encountering maintenance delays and issues with their living conditions. The fire occurred nearly a year ago, I’ve visited the apartments before, and I see how frustrating it is for the residents there. I’m sincerely hoping and pushing for an update from Brookside and from HUD, and for full inspections to finally take place,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “During my visit today I saw the conditions first hand and there’s still plenty of work to be done.”

Below: Gottheimer discusses issues at Brookside Terrace with residents.

Below: Gottheimer visits the damage in Brookside Terrace that remains from the December 2018 fire.

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