HOUSTON – Residents of a senior living apartment complex in Houston are speaking out after months of dealing with a serious rat infestation.
For some, the situation has become so unbearable that they no longer feel safe sleeping in their own homes. At the Columbia Senior at 2100 Memorial, residents say that rats have taken over, leaving them to cope with the ongoing health risks and emotional toll.
Marlei Cannedy, a resident of the complex, says her life has felt like a “living nightmare” since September. Cannedy recalls a terrifying moment when a rat bit her hand.
“I stuck my hand in a pouch by the door, and the rat grabbed my hand,” she explained. “I tried to shake it off, and I lost my mind.”
Since then, Cannedy has been battling an infestation in her apartment. She believes the rats are entering through a hole in her utility room and her dishwasher. The problem has left her feeling trapped, with no place to feel safe.
In an attempt to escape the rodents, Cannedy has slept in various parts of the building, including the media room and open lobby, with her dog by her side.
“My neighbors have offered their apartments to me but that isn’t very comfortable. And, they ,may have them too and not know” she said.
One neighbor, who did not want to be identified, says she didn’t initially believe the claims, “I thought she was lying because she was the only person complaining for a few weeks.”
Then, she says her neighbor began screaming hysterically throughout the day, “It was my next door neighbor. Then, the person two doors down. Then, I knew Cannedy wasn’t lying.”
She says it didn’t take long for her to see one inside of her home, as well.
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Another neighbor frequently helps Cannedy by catching the rats in jars. She says he had one missed attempt that left a rat with no tail, bleeding throughout her apartment.
Despite the property management’s efforts to address the issue, residents like Cannedy continue to live with the consequences.
Pest control services have set traps and removed dead rats weekly, but the smell of decaying rats remains, making it impossible for residents to live comfortably. Cannedy and her dog became ill after spending an entire holiday weekend in the apartment with the stench.
“We couldn’t eat,” she said, describing the toll it has taken on her health.
The situation is made worse by the fear of retaliation. Many residents who spoke out about the infestation did so off-camera, expressing concern that they could be evicted or face other repercussions from management.
One resident shared, “If everyone was out here and they didn’t have fear, you’d have half the apartment complex out here.”
The fear of eviction, especially among senior residents, has led many to remain silent despite the living conditions.
When contacted by phone, the property management team did not respond. However, they did send a statement via email, acknowledging that pest control services have been providing weekly treatments to address the rat problem. According to the management, they are actively working on resolving the issue.
However, for residents like Cannedy, the underlying problem remains unaddressed. Research shows that rodents can become a “peskier problem” during colder months. The holes in her utility room, which rats are using to gain access, are still left open.
Cannedy has shared a letter from Harris County Housing, which gave the apartment management until Nov. 26 to seal the holes or face penalties for what has been considered a “deficiency.”
As the infestation continues, residents are growing more desperate for lasting solutions. Many, like Cannedy, believe that no matter how many rats are trapped, the real issue lies in the unsealed entry points and overflowing trash bins. Until these issues are properly addressed, they fear that their living conditions will only continue to deteriorate.
The residents of the Columbia Senior at 2100 Memorial complex are hoping that more attention is brought to their plight, and that management takes swift action to ensure their homes are safe and livable once again.
