Rep. Allen seeks help for former Horizon West Condos residents

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WAUKESHA — State Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek regarding Horizon West Condos, saying the condo association is asking for Houdek's assistance in reviewing the denial of their insurance claim against Traveler's Insurance. Additionally, Allen sent a response to Horizon West Condo Association President Ben Chudy who had requested the letter.

"Being forced to evacuate your homes and to be unable to recover your losses is a combination of circumstances that none of us could imagine. I am sorry for each of your members having to endure this experience. I pray for a fair resolution and well-being of your members," Allen said in his response.

The past two years for residents/ owners of Horizon West Condos has been full of worrying about finances, housing and navigating bankruptcies. The building was fully demolished on Thursday.

"As you know; you are statutorily empowered to examine the affairs of any licensee, registrant or permittee. You are also statutorily empowered to commence an action in circuit court in the name of the state for violation of insurance statutes," Allen's letter to Houdek said.

Allen asked Houdek to review the actions of Traveler's Insurance and determine if they followed Wisconsin state law and the terms of the policy.

"The points raised by the Association in their communication seem very compelling. If Traveler's failed to follow state law or the terms of the policy, I urge you to work with the insurance company and condo association to resolve the matter or recommend legal steps for resolution. If the insurance did follow state law and the terms of the policy, please assist the condo association in understanding the basis for this decision," Allen wrote.

Chudy and the rest of the condo residents were evacuated from the building on Dec. 2, 2021, under order by the city when the building was deemed unsafe. After balconies were removed following the discovery that they were unstable, it was learned the structural steel had rusted both in the balconies and in the beams and crossbeams giving the building its structural integrity.

The residents and the Horizon West Condominium Homes Association sued in federal court after Traveler's Indemnity Company of Connecticut denied them relief under its policy covering the building, estimated to be worth $17 million. They later lost the suit. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman dismissed the residents as individual plaintiffs.

A few residents have filed for bankruptcy while others have tried to sue their homeowner's insurance with no success. Many residents are living paycheck to paycheck, according to Chudy.

Chudy previously announced he was writing to Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, Allen, the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance, the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, Gov. Tony Evers and others asking for help.

Chudy previously said there is an organization that expressed an interest in their plight and may have ideas on how to help. There will be a meeting scheduled soon to see what can be done.

The condo association is hoping to get the highestranking person whom they reached out to see if there is anything they can do.

"That could be financial compensation, reopening something with Traveler's Indemnity Company to see if there is anything legally possible. If someone could say we are going to give you some debt forgiveness or a grant on a federal level we didn't know existed. Anything. Any help the highestranking person could offer," Chudy said.

The Horizon West Condos were demolished last week.

Freeman file photo