Residents of Tiffin West Apartments Demand Action Amidst Neglect by Millennia Housing Management


Tiffin, OH – June 29, 2025 – Residents of Tiffin West Apartments, located at 1746 W Market St., Tiffin, Ohio, are voicing their frustration with Millennia Housing Management, LTD, over deplorable living conditions, including overflowing trash, leaking roofs, black mold, and unpaid invoices. The once well-maintained complex has deteriorated significantly in recent years, leaving tenants grappling with health hazards and unresponsive management.

 

A History of Decline

A resident since 2011, recalls a time when maintenance requests were addressed within days and rent was affordable at $425 per month. Today, her rent has surged to $724, while maintenance has all but ceased. “Five years ago, maintenance orders just stopped getting done,” she said. The death of the dedicated maintenance worker, Donnie, two years ago marked a turning point, with conditions worsening rapidly.

One tenant in Building 1726 D received a plastic tarp from management to cover a mold-filled attic.

Picture of a roof in need of replacement.

Last year a cat had kittens inside the overhang.

Health and Safety Hazards

Multiple residents shared harrowing accounts of unsafe living conditions. A tenant for nearly two years, described moving into an unclean apartment with trash, roaches, a broken stove cord, and a garbage disposal that remains inoperable. The carpet, reeking of cat urine, was never replaced, and management promised rent deductions for repairs that never materialized. Another faced late fees and eviction threats after complaining about overflowing trash and a leaking roof, which management covered with a cheap tarp two weeks ago.

Another resident, an ADA tenant who has lived at Tiffin West for 20 years, detailed a litany of issues: a front door with gaps allowing daylight to stream through, leading to high electric bills; carpet tacks protruding through the floor, posing a hazard; and a garbage disposal broken for three years, emitting a persistent gas odor. His gas hot water heater provides only 5-10 minutes of hot water and makes alarming popping sounds, likely due to mineral buildup. Broken door knobs, unprovided furnace filters, and a damaged soffit allowing squirrels and birds to enter further compound his struggles.

A younger resident reported a dangerous carbon dioxide (CO2) leak in late 2024, deemed unsafe by the fire chief. A professional later identified an oversized water heater and a slow CO2 leak from a dryer, yet repairs were delayed for 28 days. She has been unable to secure rent assistance due to management’s failure to process paperwork, despite living in the complex for two years with unfulfilled promises of repairs.

Systemic Neglect and Unpaid Debts

The complex’s issues extend beyond individual units. Nine units lack functioning air conditioners, and Building 1740 suffers from persistent roof leaks. Overflowing dumpsters have become a health hazard, with the complex owing over $7,000 in unpaid garbage collection fees, according to The Fostoria Free Press. A couple was relocated to a new unit after ceiling water damage went unaddressed, only for the ceiling to collapse, exposing black mold everywhere—posing a severe risk to their pregnant daughter who was present at the time.

Millennia Housing Management has been unresponsive, with residents and reporters unable to reach the company for comment. The office remains locked, with windows covered in paper, despite a new manager reportedly being spotted on-site on June 13, 2025.

Broader Context of Mismanagement

Millennia Housing Management, an Ohio-based company managing thousands of HUD-subsidized rental units, has faced widespread criticism for substandard living conditions. The company and its CEO, Frank Sinito, are under investigation following a federal raid on Sinito’s home in October 2024, with no charges filed as of June 2025. HUD has barred Millennia and Sinito from new federal contracts until March 2029 due to financial mismanagement, and the company is reportedly selling off its affordable housing portfolio.

Tenants across Millennia’s properties, including Forest Cove Apartments in Atlanta, have reported similar issues, such as mold, rodents, and structural failures, leading to condemnations and relocations. Housing advocates argue that HUD has failed to hold Millennia accountable, often redirecting tenant complaints back to the company without independent investigation.

A Call for Accountability

Residents of Tiffin West Apartments are demanding immediate action to address the hazardous conditions and restore habitable living environments. From black mold and leaking roofs to unpaid invoices and unresponsive management, the tenants’ pleas echo a broader call for accountability from both Millennia Housing Management and HUD. As the company shifts focus to market-rate properties, tenants fear their concerns will continue to be ignored, leaving them in a state of neglect and uncertainty.

POWER GRID NOTICE: NCE Warns of Forced Load Shedding & Urges Customers to Immediately Reduce Power Consumption

ATTICA, OH | North Central Electric (NCE) is calling on its members to reduce electricity usage following a severe storm on June 18, 2025, that caused an AEP transmission issue affecting the cooperative’s service territory. The failure, outside NCE’s control, has impacted three of its 12 distribution substations, covering about one-third of the area. AEP has estimated a minimum two-day repair timeline as of 4:53 PM CDT today, June 19, 2025.
Currently, NCE is backfeeding power from other substations, but the cooperative has reached its maximum output, limiting its ability to adjust power distribution. With rising temperatures expected to increase demand, NCE is asking members to help stabilize the system by shedding load. Suggested actions include limiting air conditioner use, slightly raising thermostat settings, delaying the operation of large appliances like washers and dryers, and turning off unnecessary power sources. Members with home generators are encouraged to use them when possible.
Failure to reduce demand could force NCE to implement load shedding, a measure the cooperative aims to avoid. While backfeeding is a valuable feature of NCE’s system, it’s not designed for prolonged high-level use. NCE is collaborating with AEP to expedite repairs and restore full grid capacity, urging community support to benefit all members during this challenging period.

WATCH: Trouble at Tiffin West Apartments, CEO Under Investigation, Millenia Housing Management | Tiffin, OH

Rebecca-Ann Cook Plans to to Appeal Traffic Convictions, Alleges Constitutional Rights Violations and Judicial Corruption in Tiffin-Fostoria Court

Tennant Retains Lawyer For Suit Against University Center Apartments in TIFFIN, OH

TIFFIN, OH — Crystal Lynn, a resident of Tiffin, Ohio, has recently engaged legal counsel to address multiple grievances against University Center Apartments located at 196 E Market St. Lynn’s decision to hire Attorney Brian Williams from Akron stems from a series of alarming issues, including structural damage, theft, and mismanagement at the apartment complex.

Lynn’s ordeal began in September when she noticed her apartment wall caving in, leading to significant water leakage around her furnace. This not only compromised her living environment but also became a health hazard. “You can see all around my furnace which has allowed spiders to get in,” Lynn explained. Her situation escalated after she was bitten by a brown recluse spider, which led to an infection, MRSA, and subsequent surgeries, including emergency ones due to sepsis.

Further complicating matters, Lynn alleges that there were instances of financial misconduct by former property manager Ciara Ireland, who was later fired for an undisclosed reason. “Payments sent via Cash App weren’t put on my ledger list,” Lynn stated, highlighting the discrepancies in her financial records. Current senior property manager Sherri Henry White, who is Ireland’s mother-in-law, has continued to manage the property, but Lynn reports ongoing issues including false accusations against her husband, who has resided there since April 2023 and has done work for the management.

Additionally, Lynn has faced harassment, with the landlord, Sherri Henry White, reportedly calling the police on her at least three times a week. “Our landlord lies about everything,” Lynn said, noting she has kept records of these interactions. “Sherri lied to the police saying that I was hassing her with phone calls.”

The physical condition of the apartment has not only affected Lynn’s health but also her housing stability. “I’ve tried to move, and she is giving other landlords bad references,” Lynn added, indicating that her efforts to relocate have been thwarted by the management’s actions.

The legal action comes in the wake of a significant fire at the complex, which has left several residents, including some of Lynn’s neighbors, homeless. “Many of them are sleeping in their car or at the Findlay mission,” she noted, underscoring the broader impact of the management’s negligence.

Lynn’s objectives with the lawsuit include seeking compensation for her medical expenses, damages due to the apartment’s condition, and rectification of the financial discrepancies. “I have so many pictures and proof it’s ridiculous,” she said, indicating she has substantial evidence to support her claims.

This case sheds light on the broader issues of tenant rights, property management accountability, and the health and safety of residents in rental properties. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be crucial to observe how Crystal Lynn’s case influences local housing policies and practices in Tiffin, Ohio.

This management practice is relatable to the Poplar Village crisis happening in Fostoria.

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

Sherri L.Photo byUniversity Center Apartments

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

University Center ApartmentsPhoto byThe Fostoria Free Press

Tiffin Police Arrest Local Man for Sharing Child Exploitation Material via BitTorrent

January 23, 2025

TIFFIN A covert online investigation led by Detective Eric England of the Tiffin Police Department’s Criminal Division has resulted in the arrest of 46-year-old Mick J. Okonski. The investigation, conducted with the support of multiple law enforcement agencies, uncovered the sharing of child sexual exploitation material via the peer-to-peer file-sharing protocol BitTorrent.

Earlier today, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in the 700 block of S. Washington St. in Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Okonski admitted to both downloading and sharing the illicit material and was taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Seneca County Jail pending his arraignment.

Mr. Okonski faces charges of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, a second-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. Authorities have indicated that additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues and further evidence is analyzed.

The successful conclusion of this investigation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the METRICH Task Force, the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio Investigative Unit, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Their combined expertise and support were instrumental in bringing this case to a resolution.

Chief Pauly of the Tiffin Police Department expressed his gratitude to Detective England and the Criminal Division for their tireless dedication. He also extended appreciation to the assisting agencies for their unwavering commitment to protecting the community.

“The safety and well-being of our children remain our top priority,” said Chief Pauly. “We will continue to work diligently to hold offenders accountable and ensure justice is served.”

The Tiffin Police Department encourages anyone with information related to child exploitation to report it to local authorities or through national hotlines.

For further updates on this case, stay tuned to official law enforcement communications and local news outlets.

 

Severed finger found in Tiffin – Police are investigating.

TIFFIN

Tiffin Police is investigating after residents discovered a possible severed finger Sunday morning.

According to a report from Seneca County officials, a woman called police around 11:30 a.m. Sunday morning and said her cat brought a severed human finger to her porch in the 2600 block of State Route 18.

Police checked with several area emergency rooms to see if there were any patients that could be related to the incident but there were no traumatic event reports, according to county officials. They did not find anything in a search of the surrounding area.

Officials took it to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for examination. The investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story.