Troubled Program’s Home Repairs Checked

County officials said Friday that they detected no safety problems after inspecting 100 homes that received work under Orange County’s troubled housing rehabilitation program.

The inspections were ordered after several residents complained that contractors performed shoddy and potentially dangerous work as part of the county-run program for low-income homes.

Robert E. Wilson, director of the Housing and Community Development Department, said the inspections did find cases of poor workmanship that required repairs. Examples of the shoddy work include incorrect installation of a patio door and a mobile home foundation as well as faulty plumbing.

The residents who originally exposed the poor workmanship said their safety was jeopardized because water heaters and electrical wiring were improperly installed.

Wilson said his department hopes to inspect 140 additional homes by May.