Louisville officials condemned and boarded up a home next to a resident who spent years seeking help over an alleged squatter living in the property.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) — The city of Louisville has condemned and secured a home next door to Deloris Ezell, a homeowner who spent years trying to resolve issues with an alleged squatter.
City crews arrived to board up the house using plexiglass and two-by-fours, removing old storm windows in the process.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that they’re doing anything,” Ezell said.
Years of complaints
Ezell documented ongoing problems with her neighbor for years, saying he was living in a home he did not own. Security camera footage she captured was previously reported in September.
The neighbor was taken to court and ordered to restore power to the home, but the power was never turned back on, and the case was eventually dismissed.
“I hope he finds peace wherever he is,” Ezell said. “If he’d lived over there, I don’t care, if he’d lived over there and left me alone.”
Retired council member steps in
Former Metro Council Member Denise Bentley became involved after seeing earlier news coverage of the situation.
“It was working with Major Miller in the second division, working with code enforcement, and just not taking no’s and finding solutions,” Bentley said.
“I just don’t think seniors deserve to live and have trespassers or anyone destroy their peace,” she added.
The city’s codes department condemned the house earlier this month and ordered it to be boarded up.
What’s next
Ezell said she hopes the property owner will take action moving forward.
“Prayerfully (Hopefully) the owner will do something with the house because there’s no reason to let it… I mean it has deteriorated, it’s what it’s going to take to fall in,” Ezell said.
While she does not want the home to remain vacant for long, Ezell said she is relieved the squatter will no longer be there.
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