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| Main | Changing Faces | Transformation | Building Problems | Population Shift |
Problems With the Buildings
Sharon Schramel, 55, has lived in Lathrop for almost 20 years. She recalled that the apartments "were very nice but some problems were starting on the insides." She added that the outsides were fairly good as well. Schramel traces the poor condition of the insides of the apartments to windows they had installed "several years back".
Whereas Lathrop residents used to have windows that would swing out, the windows were replaced by new, airtight windows. These will slide open, both up and down, and help keep the heat in.
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| Lathrop Homes February 2006 |
Ironically, the heat was a large part of the problem. During the winter, the radiators at Lathrop give off continuous heat. the residents are unable to change how much heat they want coming into their apartments since the CHA has total control over it.
A common solution, one that still lives today, is to crack open your window, either at the top or bottom or both, in an effort to cool down the apartments.
While this method worked for cooling off, it wasn't always feasible. So many times the windows would be shut airtight and not allow anything out.
This became a problem when, over time, showers were taken and food was cooked, leading to moisture in the air. Since the moisture couldn't escape through the windows, it settled into the foundation.
"The insides are made of concrete, so mold started forming," Schramel said. "Chunks (of concrete) were breaking off."
Schramel was also critical of Lathrop's plumbing system, "The plumbing is awful, I think it's the original plumbing. The hot water either doesn't work or is scalding, leading to children burning themselves. Hot water in the shower is a tricky thing."