Geoff Greenwood, Communications Director
515-281-6699, geoff.greenwood@iowa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, January 27, 2012

Judge Penalizes Cedar Rapids Housing Organization for Asbestos Violations

(CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa)  A Linn County District Court Judge this week assessed a $60,000 civil penalty against Affordable Housing Network, Inc. for a number of asbestos-related violations occurring during a 2009-2010 renovation of the Hawthorne Hills apartment complex.

Affordable Housing Network, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing in the Cedar Rapids area, owns the 202-unit Hawthorne Hills apartment complex at 2262 C Street NW, in Cedar Rapids.

In a petition also filed this week, Miller alleged that Affordable Housing Network conducted the renovation without taking required precautions for the presence of asbestos including but not limited to failure to inspect prior to the renovation, failure to notify the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, failure to remove asbestos prior to activities that may cause its release, and mishandling of the demolition waste containing asbestos during and at the time of disposal.

In addition to the civil penalty assessed, District Judge William L. Thomas permanently enjoined Affordable Housing Network from further violations of the asbestos-handling requirements. 

# # #