Reps. Brewer, Upchurch Call on Ohio Attorney General to Investigate Rainbow Terrace Fire in Cleveland

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today sent a letter to Attorney General Dave Yost requesting his office to investigate the recent explosion and fire at the Rainbow Terrace apartment complex in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite statements from the complex’s management group stating residents have not made complaints about gas leading up to the explosion, both state representatives have been told that residents have long raised complaints regarding unsafe and deteriorating conditions in their units.

“It is especially troubling that Rainbow Terrace operates under a subsidized housing model, receiving funding and oversight from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The idea that residents' socioeconomic status, their race, or the subsidized nature of their housing might have caused their safety concerns to be deprioritized is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation,” said Rep. Brewer.

“It is concerning that the safety of a predominately Black community was ignored, not only from property management but from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. We have a duty to protect all our constituents, and this includes ensuring their living conditions are up to par. This tragedy should have never happened,” said Rep. Upchurch.

Reps. Brewer and Upchurch listed 5 requests in the attached letter, including the launch of an independent investigation into the matter.

Constituents interested in assisting families affected by the Garden Valley apartment explosion can find information here.