Marshallese group housing is now up to code

Nearly four years after safety code violations put a group of Marshallese Islanders’ housing at risk, the issues have been resolved, ending a long-running threat of displacement.

With help from local contractor Curt Abee, the Marshallese group’s apartment-like homes on the Marshallese New Beginnings Church campus now meet minimum safety standards following renovations that addressed faulty wiring, lead paint, lack of primary heating sources, and plumbing issues.

Renovations were complete by mid-March, Abee said, a couple weeks before the March 31 deadline set by Burke County commissioners.

“It doesn’t look much different than it did before, but it’s much safer,” Abee said. “All the electrical hazards were taken out and all new wiring put into the classrooms … where they (are) living, and we put new heat and air conditioning units in the windows.”

The issue was first raised in September 2022 when a complaint was filed with the county regarding a large number of people living on the old George Hildebrand Elementary School property.

Burke County staff investigated and found major safety violations, prompting a condemnation order. Pastor Tommy Liabwij appealed and obtained a building permit, but no repairs were made in 2023 and the permit expired.

The property was inspected again in January 2024. County staff found no progress had been made and reached out to a nonprofit for funding assistance to help the Marshallese group renovate their homes. The nonprofit said their organization could not provide funding for the project.

Another condemnation hearing was scheduled for early 2025 but postponed because Liabwij was out of the country. It was held instead on March 31, then appealed.

County commissioners held a called meeting in April 2025 and decided to revise the order to vacate the condemned dwellings. The families were given until May 12, 2025, to obtain an estimate from a contractor for addressing the safety issues.

Abee offered funding and repair work to bring the dwellings up to code in May 2025, and the group was granted a six-month extension.

In November 2025, county staff found significant progress had been made, though the repairs were not yet complete, and granted a four-month extension.