LAFAYETTE, La. ( KLFY )– For Tuesday’s Lafayette city council meeting, a discussion is on the agenda on what to do about Himbola Manor Apartments and other rental properties reported to be in poor condition.

City Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux has been down this road before. Boudreaux said, as far as Himbola Apartments, it’s horrible and unfortunate. Regarding rental properties overall, Boudreaux reinforces something needs to be done sooner rather than later.

“Y’all need to shut that place down. Well, then we have to say, ‘Where do these people go?'” Boudreaux explained.

Councilman Boudreaux said there are no checks and balances in place to hold rental landlords and managers accountable for what needs to be done on-site.

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“How did it get to this point that it’s deplorable and unlivable for people? That’s because nobody is checking. We don’t have any checks; we don’t have any balances taking place,” Boudreaux said.

The councilman wants to see the implementation of a rental inspection program. Boudreaux mentioned the program could be administered by the government or a private entity, with the requirement to report on the facility’s living conditions.

“I want to bring that back to the forefront and hope, not to force anything down anyone’s throat, but in hopes that we could collaborate with the private sector and find a way to fix this,” Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux told News 10 that the idea was first suggested by former council member Dr. Chris Williams in 2002. In 2015, Boudreaux brought the rental inspection proposal back during his time on the council. Both times, the idea was rejected.

“Rent is an issue that needs oversight simply because the consumer is silenced by the threat of eviction,” Boudreaux added.

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