Concerns arise about mold in Monarch 716 student housing

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Local college students complain of mold in their student housing, right before the start of the new semester.

These complaints are coming from students at Monarch 716, an off-campus student housing unit located by Buffalo State University.

Buff State students live there, along with students from ECC and other local colleges. WIVB News 4 received at least two complaints about mold inside apartments there from water damage.

One student who spoke to us does not want to give her name, out of fear of retaliation.
She says she and her roommates sacrifice health and safety for affordability by living there.

The Erie County Health Department says its received nine complaints about Monarch 716 since January of 2023. The City of Buffalo's Department of Permit and Inspection Services says Monarch 716 had a permit to repair water damage that was completed last year and that the department has not found any mold in the building.

The city has responded to 311 calls associated with the building. Buffalo State University says it hasn't received any complaints from students at Monarch 716. Students who are having issues can reach out to the Dean of Students.

Monarch 716 reached a settlement three years ago with the New York State Attorney General's Office after investigators found that the property coaxed students into signing leases denying them apartments, but still demanded that they pay rent.

WIVB News 4 attempted to talk to take to the maintenance department there or anyone in the front office, but we were told they could not speak to us and that we should leave the property.

Instead, WIVB News 4 received this statement from Monarch 716:

"The well-being of the residents of Monarch 716 is a top priority and seek to resolve all maintenance issues as quickly as possible. Our team has recently received maintenance requests from residents concerned about possible microbial grown in their apartments. However, our maintenance teams were denied access to the units on the multiple occasions they arrived to assess the situation and begin any needed repairs. We have since relocated one of those residents to a new apartment and another moved out after their lease expired."