Residents of the Calvert Square public housing complex in Norfolk, Virginia, have faced ongoing heating outages, with some enduring weeks without adequate warmth. The situation has drawn significant criticism from both residents and local officials, highlighting the challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure.
The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) began notifying residents about the heating outage on December 5, 2023. However, many residents, including Whitney Spearman, reported that issues began well before this date. Spearman, a resident for over four years, has been without heat since October 28, 2023. On that day, the property management switched on the complex’s aging boiler system, leading to flooding from a burst radiator that damaged her belongings.
Residents reported receiving inadequate space heaters, which failed to provide sufficient warmth. Spearman described one heater as being the size of a phone book, unable to effectively heat her unit. When she attempted to use a second heater, it overloaded the circuit, causing a power outage in her apartment.
The NRHA acknowledged the seriousness of the heating issues, stating it is providing assistance and plans to remain on-site until the situation is resolved. Officials expect to have a clearer timeline for repairs once necessary materials arrive.
Community Response and Challenges
The situation at Calvert Square has escalated into what many residents describe as a “community-wide failure.” Spearman’s frustrations were echoed by others during a recent meeting with the NRHA’s board of commissioners. She expressed concern over her son’s health, believing the lack of heat has worsened his asthma. Despite the urgency of the situation, she feared discussing the heating loss with medical professionals, worried it might prompt a call to Child Protective Services.
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia’s deputy director, Melissa Bonfiglio, raised additional concerns during the meeting. She highlighted that some residents were offered hotel accommodations but faced unexpected fees, such as a $100 incidental deposit. Bonfiglio recounted instances where families were forced to return to Calvert Square in poor weather after being denied hotel access due to financial constraints.
Approximately 280 out of 310 units at Calvert Square are occupied, with many families experiencing varying degrees of hardship due to the heating failures. The complex, built in 1957, is scheduled for demolition and replacement as part of a mixed-use development plan that could commence as soon as 2027.
Official Statements and Future Actions
The NRHA has committed to addressing resident concerns and has stated that it is working to restore heat. In a communication to residents, the authority indicated that it would provide alternative housing arrangements if necessary.
Local officials have also voiced their concerns. Norfolk’s mayor, Kenny Alexander, emphasized that no resident should have to rely on insufficient heating solutions or incur additional costs due to system failures. He urged the NRHA to cover all expenses related to the outage, reinforcing that residents should not bear financial burdens for issues beyond their control.
City Manager Pat Roberts described the heating problems as urgent, offering city resources to assist the NRHA in treating the situation as an emergency. The heating outages coincided with a significant leadership change at the NRHA, with Michael Clark stepping in as interim executive director following the termination of former director Nathan Simms‘ contract in November.
As winter temperatures drop, the urgency to resolve these heating issues remains paramount. With forecasts predicting lows in the low 20s in the coming days, residents continue to hope for a swift resolution to a situation that has left many in distress.
