Slumlord Continues to Rent in Springville, AL

Springville is a quaint town nestled between Birmingham and Gadsden, Al, known for its historical
shops on Main Street and the Homestead Hollow festival that is held three times a year. Despite
the thousands of annual visitors, few who stop by this small town ever see the less picturesque
parcels of land that lie on the citys outskirts. However, if you mention the street names Bocoffee,
Caldwell, or Crawfords Cove Road to locals, they will respond with a dismal expression, Oh
youre talking about Swindalls properties? This is an issue of which many are aware, but few ever
discuss.

Will Swindall owns at least 14 parcels of land that lie within unincorporated areas between
Springville and Ashville. Four fires have been documented on his properties since 2003. Two
individuals have lost their lives on his property due to house fires.

Carrie Louise Crowder, 11, died in a house fire on Jan. 18, 2008 off of Crawfords Cove Road.
According to the coroners report, the 11-year-old died from smoke inhalation; she never even
woke up. Her mother, Angela Roddy, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Swindall. The mobile
home that he was renting to them did not have working smoke detectors.

Source: Gary Weaver

In July of 2014, a judge found Swindall guilty, and demanded him pay $500,000 for the wrongful
death charge. That sentence was handed out two year ago, yet Swindall has continued, and is
currently, renting his properties.
In driving by his properties, one can find mounds of trash, busted out windows, and homes without
doors. Upon closer inspection, it is evident that many of these homes are without running water or
heating and air. A few of these properties are fitted with as many mobile homes as possible, one
property housing as many as 15 mobile homes. Swindall paid registration fees for 14
manufactured homes in 2016, suggesting that he is renting to as many as 14 individuals.
Springville police officer, Michael Long, said, Somebody can report the property, the Health
department comes out and if the property does not meet certain criteria, the property is deemed
unlivable and is condemned. The people living in the house have a certain amount of time that they
are allowed to stay, then they have to leave the property. There are no measures that Mr. Long is
aware of for ensuring that people do not live, or do not return to, condemned properties. There are
no disciplinary actions that Mr. Long is aware of for landlords who rent out unlivable properties.

There are no resources that Mr. Long is aware of for aiding those whose residence has been
condemned.
Mr. Long was unaware that there were children living in at least one of Swindalls properties. Mr.
Long said that, The only course of action that could be taken would be to call Child Protective
Services. After an investigation, if the home is deemed unlivable by the CPS, the children would be
placed in protective custody.
Mr. Long has driven by these properties and is aware that people are living in them, but said there
is not much as a Springville police officer that he can do. Swindalls properties lie within the
countys jurisdiction, thus it is the responsibility of the Countys police officers to ensure that
condemned properties remain vacant. Which has not happened.
Will Swindall is providing the much needed service of affordable housing for individuals who
otherwise would be unable to afford a home. But at what cost? More measures need to be taken to
ensure that condemned properties remain uninhabited. More resources need to be provided for
families finding themselves in a condemned residence.