Senator Metzger Gets RHP Properties to Fix Broken Septic Pipe at Huguenot Estates Home
October 15, 2020
Town of Deerpark, NY…Senator Jen Metzger (SD-42) today announced that Huguenot Estates resident Aurora Houck, whose family had been living with an odorous broken septic pipe for almost a year, has finally had the issue rectified by the owner of the manufactured-home community. After Senator Metzger intervened on the family's behalf to pressure RHP Properties to fix the problem, the management company replaced the broken pipe.
Senator Metzger's District Director, Max Cordella, came to monitor the work by the company's contractor as the pipe was being replaced. "The Houcks were understandably distrustful, given the difficult time they had getting the company to fix the problem," said Senator Metzger, "and I felt it was important to have an independent presence there to make sure the work was done to everyone's satisfaction."
Huguenot Estates resident Aurora Houck said, “I want to thank Senator Metzger for all she has done for me and my family, and for all of her hard work to help us. She is a great Senator— people like her give people like me hope, and I had lost all hope! Thank you for not giving up, Jen.”
RHP Properties, a Michigan-based company, is the largest private owner of manufactured-home communities in the country. Ms. Houck reached out to Senator Metzger's office, leading to a series of exchanges between the Senator and the company to get the problem resolved.
"No one should have to live with the stench of septic, and Aurora and her family have finally gotten the repairs they deserve," said Senator Metzger.
The 42nd State Senate District represented by Metzger is a largely rural district in the Hudson Valley and Catskills where manufactured housing communities are one of the main affordable housing options available for seniors, veterans, and other individuals and families living on a fixed or modest income. In 2019, Senator Metzger introduced a bill to protect manufactured homeowners from excessive lot rent increases, and was able to get a cap on increases and other protections for these communities in the 2019 Housing Stability and Community Protection Act. While this was an important victory for residents of these communities, some communities continue to face challenges, such as poor maintenance like at Huguenot Estates.
Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.
###
