Foreclosure battles have put hundreds of tenants in a sticky situation. A major legal fight is unfolding in Allegheny County over several affordable housing complexes connected to a company called NB Affordable. The company, based in New Jersey, ran into serious legal trouble after its owners pleaded guilty to federal mortgage fraud. Now, the bank that financed some of its properties, Merchants Bank of Indiana, is trying to foreclose — meaning it wants to take back the properties and sell them to recover its money.

One of the main properties caught in the middle is Mon View Heights, a 326-unit affordable housing complex in West Mifflin. The case has drawn the attention of county officials, local advocates, and the residents who call the property home. What’s at stake isn’t just a set of buildings — it’s the stability of hundreds of families who rely on affordable housing.

Why Tenants and the County Want In

Both the tenants and Allegheny County officials have asked the court to let them join the foreclosure case. They say they have a right to be involved because they are the ones most affected by whatever happens next. Many tenants worry that the foreclosure could lead to neglect, displacement, or steep rent increases if new owners take over without commitments to affordability.

County officials argue that their role is to make sure the buildings remain livable and that people don’t lose their homes. They say that the receiver, who is currently managing the property, is mostly there to protect the bank’s interests, not the tenants’. Officials want to ensure that decisions about repairs, maintenance, and future ownership include input from the community.

The Bank’s Side of the Argument

The bank sees things differently. Merchants Bank of Indiana says the tenants and the county don’t have legal standing to join the case. In legal terms, that means they aren’t directly part of the contract or mortgage and therefore shouldn’t have a voice in the proceedings. The bank argues that its main concern is to recover its losses and that allowing more parties into the case would only delay the process.

The bank’s lawyers have also pointed out that a receiver has already been appointed to handle the day-to-day operations of the property. That receiver, they say, has been working to stabilize the buildings and has already spent more than $600,000 on urgent fixes — things like trash removal, basic repairs, and safety issues. From their perspective, this shows that the system in place is already doing what it’s supposed to do.

What’s at Stake for Residents

For residents of Mon View Heights and other NB Affordable properties, this isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about whether they’ll be able to stay in their homes. Many families have lived there for years, depending on low rents made possible through federal and local housing programs. If the properties lose those affordability agreements, the rents could jump beyond what current tenants can pay.

There are also fears that if the foreclosure leads to ownership changes or more financial instability, the buildings could fall into worse shape. Tenants say they’ve already dealt with maintenance issues, and without proper oversight, conditions could deteriorate. County officials want to prevent that by staying involved in the court process and making sure new owners keep the apartments safe and affordable.

What Happens Next

The final decision now lies with a judge in Allegheny County. Judge Christine Ward will decide whether tenants and county officials can formally join the case. If she agrees, it would give them a seat at the table — meaning they’d have the right to make their voices heard in court about future repairs, ownership, and the long-term affordability of the apartments.

If the judge rules against them, the bank and receiver would continue handling the process largely on their own. That could make it harder for residents to influence what happens next. Either way, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how Pennsylvania handles similar disputes between banks, local governments, and tenants when affordable housing is at risk.