Families who live in church face eviction over building safety concerns

CONNELLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Nine families living at a church in Burke County will be forced off the property.

Leaders will hold a special meeting this week after the county building inspector found the property “dangerous to life and liability.”

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Channel 9′s Dave Faherty read the inspection report and spoke with the pastor about what’s next for the congregation.

The old school and classrooms were turned into homes for the families. However, the county building inspector said the buildings pose “significant safety concerns”

The families from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific live at the Marshallese New Beginnings Church off George Hildebran School Road.

The building inspector cited issues including deteriorating walls, overloaded floors, defective construction, and unsafe electrical wiring.

Pastor Tommy Laibwij took Faherty into several classrooms that were converted into homes.

The pastor hopes the county will extend the permits so they can make the repairs needed to pass inspection.

However, the county said nothing has been done there since the original complaint in September 2022.

At the time, the church appealed the order to vacate the property, submitting architectural plans for improvements.

The county said renovations were never started, and the building permit expired.

The pastor believes the county should give them more time to repair the old school.

“Be more concerned about kids and human life than the unsafe because for us, this is a safe place,” said Laibwij. “It’s like paradise for us because we came from a third-world country.”

An order is in place for the families to vacate the property by May 20.

The estimated cost of repairs is $500,000, which the church doesn’t have.

Burke County officials said they are trying to find housing for the people living at the church.

The county tried to get four nonprofits to help, but the agencies could not assist due to constraints.

The church can be used for religious purposes; however, the buildings have been deemed unfit for housing, the county reiterated Tuesday afternoon in a news release.

Not only is it unsafe living, but it also creates a liability for the county, officials said.

Officials said they will continue to help those impacted.

“Our staff has made every effort to seek help for those affected, and we remain committed to working toward long-term solutions. However, public safety must remain our top priority,” said Chris White, acting public information officer for Burke County.

The hearing at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday is to appeal that decision.

VIDEO: Families living in former Burke County school forced out after building deemed unsafe