Newly Blessed, Haven House Has Punch List Woes

TOWN BANK — Haven House, a low-income senior apartment complex on Townbank Road, constructed by Diocesan Housing Services Corporation of the Catholic Diocese of Camden, is plagued with a number of construction-related problems ranging from water leaks, broken air conditioning units to a trash compacting system that can not be used.
The complex, behind St. John-of-God Church, started accepting residents in April and celebrated its grand opening last month when Bishop Joseph Galante, of the Diocese of Camden, cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Among problems residents have experienced:
• Water leaks from shower stalls to apartments below.
• Trash compactor for building that is unusable.
• Baseboard heating units that won’t turn off and make “banging” noises.
• Air conditioning units in building’s common areas that do not work.
• Warped kitchen cabinet doors.
• Bumps and valleys in carpeting in resident’s units.
• Low-end appliances. No broiler pans with oven.
• Dying landscaping.
• Flimsy base under washers in laundry room.
While the building is bright and clean, the Herald noticed an overall look of sloppy construction such as seams in the center of vinyl kitchen floors and gaps in doorways.
Curtis Johnson, director of Diocesan Housing Services, told the Herald there was a punch list of items to be addressed by the project’s general contractor. He said the building was under a one-year warranty.
“We are not even close to final closing,” said Johnson.
He said the Diocesan Housing Corporation retains enough of the general contractor’s final payment to give that person an incentive to make corrections.
He said a list of items to be corrected was common on building projects.
“We do have issues and they get corrected,” said Johnson.
He said final payment to the general contractor is withheld until all is completed.
Johnson said he was not aware of kitchen appliances being “low end.” The appliances met Energy Star requirements, which tend to cost more, said Johnson.
“We are also held to the expenditures that the funders require,” he said. “You get the best that you can get.”
Issues such as uneven carpeting will be repaired, said Johnson.
“It’s going to be a good building,” he said.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development contributed $11 million to the project.
Commerce Bank in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank contributed $770,000.
Contact Fichter at (609) 886-8600 Ext 30 or at: jfichter@cmcherald.com