A city-owned building in Harlem has been without heat and hot water for three weeks and the electricity has been going out for the past three days, residents say.
When residents raised complaints about the conditions, they say the Department of Housing Preservation and Development provided 60 sleeping bags to the 90 residents. DHPD also promised to have the boiler fixed by last weekend, residents say.
The department said it "takes the health and saftety of tenants very seriously and is actively working to address the issues at this building."
Regina Fowler, a tenant living with her 77-year-old grandmother, says a repairman came to look at the boiler last Saturday and said he would be back Monday morning. However, the tenants, 17 of which are elderly, are still living without heat and hot water.
"There's four of us. I have to get up ... heat up hot water to cook, wash the dishes. My shoulder actually hurts from having to tote the hot water," said Fowler.
Some tenants also reported leaks in the roof and mold on the walls of the apartments. The superintendent claims the roof, boiler, as well as every apartment in the building needs repairs.
