This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

DENVER — Some of Denver’s poorest residents including mentally and physically handicapped people and the elderly call it home. Residents at the Halycon Apartments contacted The FOX31 Problem Solvers for help after they received maintenance bills they could not afford to pay and feared eviction.

Robert Hart has lived at the section 8 housing complex for six years. Hart said, “I’m upset about the bills. I’m upset about the way they treat people. They have no sympathy. They have no empathy for anybody. A quarter of the people who live here are in wheel chairs. We can barely get by.” Hart is upset that residents received bills for routine repairs.

Hart said Kier Property Management was preparing for an inspection by the housing department. “They’re going through this building with this major rush to do all these repairs that should have been done years ago. They charged me for a new fixture and they didn’t even replace it.”

Hart received a bill for a new light fixture for $20 and another $18 for labor. “Why are we paying the maintenance people?” Hart said.

He is not alone. He collected 20 additional invoices from residents that include questionable charges.

Hart said a paraplegic had to pay $45 plus labor for a missing bedroom screen.

Another resident was charged $38 for a cover for a crisper in the refrigerator. “This guy is elderly and speaks no English,” Hart said.

Hart believes dozens of residents were charged for light bulbs and labor costs for changing them. “They are charging for labor to do it too. To change a light bulb it’s crazy. They tell them if they don’t pay they are going to get late fees. They’re going to get evicted.”

The Problem Solvers wanted to ask Kier Property Management about the charges. We left messages, but our calls were not returned. So, we caught up with their regional property manager, Matt Scott.

HEIDI HEMMATInvestigative Reporter Heidi Hemmat: “I’m Heidi Hemmat from FOX31.”

Scott: “Yes.”

Hemmat: “The government pays for the maintenance, so why are you charging the residents in addition to the money you receive from the federal government?“

Scott: ”Like I said, you can talk to our representative.”

Hemmat: “Who is getting the money? Is the management company getting the money for the maintenance as well as the labor charges?”

Scott: “I can’t speak with you about it. Sorry.”

But Hart is speaking out for the residents who cannot speak for themselves. “It is wrong, very wrong. They’re taking advantage of people who cannot defend themselves and it’s not right.”

A Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spokesperson in Washington, D.C. said, “Tenants at HUD assisted properties may not be charged for normal (or) routine maintenance.”

The high rise apartment building located in downtown Denver is a federally funded housing program that pays 70 percent of residents’ rent. To qualify to live there, a renter must earn 50 percent less of the area median income.

More than a month after we contacted Kier Property Management we received a statement from their spokesperson that said, “It is the residents’ responsibility to maintain the apartment.” Kier also mentioned a rental agreement that residents sign, but failed to respond to our request for a copy of that agreement.

Residents who have been charged and want to submit complaints can do so by calling 1-800-877-2432 or email Concerns@chfainfo.com.