Unpermitted boarding house shut down in southwestern Houston; Six clients removed, officials say
Officials in Harris County have shut down an unpermitted boarding home in southwest Houston after they received a complaint from Adult Protective Services.
What led to the shutdown?
What we know:
Officials investigated a boarding home at about 1 p.m. Wednesday on Bacard Lane near Bissonnet Street and Synott Road.
According to Sgt. Jeremy Sanchez of the Harris County Sheriff's Boarding Home Detail, his office received a complaint about the house from Adult Protective Services.
An APS employee checked on a client living at the home and reported the home for its "unsafe and unsanitary living conditions." Sgt. Sanchez said those conditions included a lack of fire safety equipment, rodent and bug infestations, and too many people living in the home.
Six clients were found living in the home, including two people who were bedridden.
"These types of homes are not authorized to house bed-bound patients due to fire, life and safety concerns," said Sgt. Sanchez.
Officials say the clients are believed to be between 50 and 75 years old and are either elderly or have a disability. Officials are working to move those clients to permitted facilities.
Each client was also evaluated for any health concerns. One person was taken to a hospital for an unnamed medical issue.
What we don't know:
Officials did not name the person who owned the boarding house. It's also not clear how long the house has been operating.
What's next for the boarding house owner?
What's next:
Officials say they contacted the owner of the boarding house over the phone. She's not facing criminal charges at this time, but she could face civil fines depending on the investigation.
Sgt. Sanchez says the owner could continue running the boarding house after she obtains a permit, passes a background check, and makes the required upgrades to the house.
Harris County boarding house rules
What We've Learned:
According to Sgt. Sanchez, boarding houses in Harris County have to have a county permit to operate legally.
"Failure to do so is a criminal offense," said Sgt. Sanchez. "It's a Class A misdemeanor under the Texas Health and Safety Code."
The Source: This information was provided by Sgt. Jeremy Sanchez of the Harris County Sheriff's Office Boarding Home Detail.