In Silver Spring, hundreds of residents remain displaced as they wait for utilities to be restored at the Arrive Wheaton apartment complex. The situation began when approximately 1,000 tenants were ordered to evacuate after a significant water leak caused extensive flooding inside the building. For now, many displaced residents—including Allen Ward, who has lived in the community for nearly nine years—are left in limbo as repair crews work to bring the building back to a livable condition.
Ward explained that on Wednesday afternoon, a sprinkler head leak in a nearby building sent water rushing into the lower levels of his complex. The flooding was severe enough that management chose to shut off both water and electricity, effectively rendering the building uninhabitable. When Ward returned to find a condemnation notice posted on his door and security positioned at the entrance, he was stunned. He insisted that residents, many of whom were suddenly forced out, had done nothing to deserve such upheaval.
Although he does not blame the management for the burst pipe itself—acknowledging that such incidents can occur anywhere—he criticizes the response to the emergency. According to Ward, many tenants feel that the handling of the situation lacked urgency and compassion. He also noted that this is not the first time residents have felt let down during emergencies. Ward recalled an incident involving a broken refrigerator, where management told him to “give it a week,” resulting in days of spoiled and foul-smelling food before the appliance was finally replaced.
WUSA9 contacted Redtail Residential, the property management company, for comment, but the company has not yet replied. Meanwhile, Ward attempted to stay at the emergency shelter provided for displaced tenants but found the cots too uncomfortable due to his back issues. He has also struggled to reach insurance representatives because of unusually high call volumes. With temperatures dropping, Ward admits he may soon need to rely on friends or family for temporary housing despite his reluctance to impose on others.
As of Friday afternoon, Montgomery County Health and Human Services reported that repairs were progressing, though it remained unclear when full power and water service would be restored. The department continues to offer support services for affected residents, including shelter accommodation, food assistance and case management.
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González stated that this incident is not the first time concerns have been raised regarding properties owned by Redtail Residential. She expressed interest in conducting a thorough review of the event and the building’s overall condition to help prevent similar disruptions in the future.
