DA: West Mifflin housing complex is a public nuisance

By Megan Guza / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Months’ worth of failed inspections, alleged noncompliance from ownership, and myriad unaddressed problems — including an open sewage line bubbling human waste and hygiene products into the street — led the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to cite a West Mifflin housing complex as a public nuisance Monday.

Nearly a third of the 326 units in the MonView Heights housing complex aren’t fit for occupancy, according to inspections and the criminal complaint, although only 129 units have actually been inspected. Of those inspected, 96 failed, authorities said.

The issues in the individual units, according to inspectors, included mold and bugs, caved-in ceilings, missing windows, open framing and leaking pipes.

West Mifflin police also allege the complex, situated on a hill overlooking Kennywood Boulevard, are a haven of criminal activity.

Between March 24 and Sept. 24, West Mifflin officers responded to 502 calls for service. Among them: 31 calls for domestic disturbances, 12 calls for gunshots, five child abuse investigations, and five burglary reports. There were 62 arrests during that time, according to police, ranging from drug violations and harassment to sexual assault, child endangerment and aggravated assault.

“No person, let alone family, should have to live in this conditions,” District Attorney Stephen A. Zappla Jr. said in a statement. “To have raw sewage pouring out in front of a bus stop, dilapidated amenities for children and broken railings, it’s simply unacceptable and our citizens deserve better.”

The nearly 4-acre lot and housing complex was bought in late 2022 by a limited liability company called Mon View Apts. The sale was finalized in early 2023 with a price tag of $17 million, according to county real estate records. The LLC was formed in Delaware in May 2022.

Mon View Apts is linked to another LLC called Vcorp Services, which has a mailing address in Monsey, N.Y. The criminal complaint indicates that Boston-based WinnCompanies is the property manager for the housing complex.

A representative for MonView Heights ownership could not be reached. A representative for WinnCompanies did not immediately return requests for comment.