Resident of Homewood apartment complex in ‘deplorable condition’ sues after forced evacuation

A Homewood resident is taking legal action against the owners and managers of The Park at Buckingham, alleging gross negligence following a forced evacuation that left hundreds of residents scrambling for new housing.

A Lawsuit Filed Amid Displacement

Joshua Young, who has resided at the 542-unit complex since 2024, filed the lawsuit on Friday. The legal action outlines 16 counts of negligence and mismanagement, claiming that residents were left in the dark until the city deemed the property unsafe. Young is represented by attorneys J. Wesley Meidl, Johnathan Austin, and Edward May II, who suggest that hundreds of other affected tenants could soon join the case.

According to the filing, Young alleges the property suffered from severe issues, including black mold, sewage backups, water leaks, and a rat infestation. Despite receiving notice from the city in early June regarding safety violations, management allegedly failed to inform tenants. Young says he only discovered the severity of the situation when the Homewood Fire Department posted a notice on his building on July 11, followed by a final order on July 29 forbidding entry to his own residence.

Systemic Failures and Safety Violations

Homewood Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead previously told 205focus.com that the complex faced a litany of hazards, including rotting stairwells, flooding, and fire code violations. While the city has worked to connect displaced residents with resources, officials noted that these issues reached a point where the complex could no longer remain operational. The city previously condemned five buildings at the property in 2024 following a fire.

Holding Ownership Accountable

The lawsuit targets the complex's corporate ownership, Contour Development, as well as the Farbman Group, which has served as a court-appointed receiver for the property since December 2025. Efforts to reach Contour Development were unsuccessful, and phone numbers for The Park at Buckingham have been disconnected.

"It’s going to be difficult for them to find housing at that rate in either Homewood or Birmingham," attorney Johnathan Austin told 205focus.com. "Essentially, the landlords and the owners of this property have created a near homelessness situation for the residents living there."

Young is seeking damages to cover moving expenses, the cost of securing alternative housing, and punitive damages for the deplorable conditions that forced the massive development to be shut down.