Residents Face Severe Living Conditions
There are buildings falling into disrepair, piles of trash, abandoned vehicles and residents forced to live without basic necessities. That's the reality residents at Brannon Hill Condominiums in DeKalb County said they're facing every day.
Some residents said they've resorted to lighting fires and getting water from outdoor hoses because they don't have electricity or running water inside their homes.
From the outside, several buildings appear to be on the verge of collapse, with visible signs of severe deterioration throughout the property.
"The pipes are broken and leaking. You can't even turn the faucet on. So, you can't even get water in your house. You can't get hot water. It's messed up," resident Aymaad Felder said.
And the problems don't stop there.
Residents said the parking lots are filled with broken-down vehicles, piles of garbage and rodents. They also describe stray cats roaming the complex.
"My thing is, we have kids out here. They're constantly out here playing and look at our trash. That is the most worst thing there is," resident Vickie Dickerson said.
Dozens of Code Enforcement Citations Pending in Court
According to a spokesperson for DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the county's code enforcement division currently has 42 citations involving Brannon Hill Condominiums pending in Magistrate Court.
The violations include:
- High grass
- Accumulated trash and debris
- Damaged asphalt and concrete
- Inoperable vehicles
- Deteriorating exterior walls and roofs
- Grading and drainage problems
- Overgrown vegetation
The next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.
Despite the pending citations, residents said the problems remain widespread throughout the complex.
The citations also raise questions about what additional steps the county can take to address the deteriorating property and how quickly conditions can improve for those who still live there.
County Commissioner Calls Situation an Ongoing Struggle
DeKalb County Commissioner Ted Terry, who represents Super District 6, acknowledged the challenges surrounding Brannon Hill, describing the county's efforts to address the problems as an ongoing struggle.
"We are continuously doing whack-a-mole. We try to address this one thing and another two pop up," Terry said.
Terry said Brannon Hill is one of three condominium complexes the county considers derelict.
"So, what I'm hoping for is the administration will bring in an acquisition in early 2027 for those three complexes and hopefully in order of where we're seeing some of the worst conditions," Terry said.
However, no acquisition plan has been finalized, and it's unclear what such a proposal would mean for residents who currently live at Brannon Hill.
DeKalb County CEO's Administration Responds
In a statement provided to 11Alive, DeKalb County acknowledged the severity of the situation and said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's administration is actively pursuing efforts to address the conditions.
"DeKalb County recognizes the serious concerns surrounding conditions at Brannon Hill and takes the welfare of its residents, as well as the impact on the surrounding community, very seriously," the statement read.
County officials said potential legal proceedings involving the property limit how much information they can publicly disclose.
"Due to potential legal proceedings related to ongoing conditions at the property, the County is limited in what it can share publicly at this time. These limitations help protect the integrity of the County's efforts and any related legal actions," the county said.
The administration said its efforts reflect a commitment to protecting residents and addressing the property's impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
"The County will provide additional information as circumstances allow and remains focused on achieving a resolution that serves the best interests of residents and the community," the statement concluded.
The county did not provide a specific timeline for improvements or detail what immediate assistance, if any, could be available to residents living without essential utilities.
Residents Waiting for Change
While county officials point to ongoing enforcement efforts and the possibility of a longer-term solution, residents said they're still living with the consequences of years of deterioration.
With citations pending in court and a possible acquisition proposal still months away, questions remain about how soon meaningful improvements could come to Brannon Hill.
For residents like Felder and Dickerson, the concerns go beyond the appearance of the property. They're about access to basic necessities and the safety of the community they call home.
