Homeowners with damaged condos voice concerns to lawmaker

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. - If nothing else, it feels good to finally be heard.

Gathered around their neighborhood pool, dozens of homeowners revealed the construction nightmares they've faced in their condos to their state senator, hoping he might have the help they need.

"It's not safe to live here anymore," said homeowner Caitlin Trask.

Trask is one of dozens in the Willowbrook neighborhood in East Manatee County who say their condos are scarred by mold, water damage and other construction blunders.  Some have found structural damage to their balconies, others say their floors have collapsed in some spots.

Those neighbors blame the developer, KB Home.

So far, Manatee County inspectors have deemed more than a dozen homes in the neighborhood unsafe.  Dozens more are still waiting to be inspected.  It's the reason homeowners sent out about 2,000 letters to media, lawyers and lawmakers, hoping someone would be able to help. 

State Senator Mike Bennett was the first to agree to meet with neighbors to hear their concerns.

"Any new construction project can have a problem, but normally you don't go on year after year after year," Senator Bennett said.

On Wednesday, Bennett told neighbors he spoke with executives from KB Home, and was told company reps would visit Willowbrook on Thursday to inspect the property.

The company also released a statement, saying in part: "The Willowbrook Association recently presented KB Home with a claim on behalf of its members and we have worked with the Association to inspect their concerns and look forward to fully and fairly resolving the homeowners' concerns."

Trask says she can't imagine this will end fairly for her.

"I wanted to be able to make an investment, be out of her in five years and start a family home," Trask said.  "But it looks like our future might be very different."