All over the city people are being forced to live in life-threatening dangerous conditions in New York City public housing complexes. Multiple investigations have shown that residents have to live in wet, moldy apartments infested with pests with the threat of apartment fires and ceiling collapses and staircase accidents looming over their heads every day.
Nyree Stevens, a young quadriplegic, lives in the Gouverneur Morris public housing project in the Bronx. She recently spoke to reporters, describing the dangerous conditions at this New York apartment complex, which at any moment could cause a fatal accident, fire, or worse.
- Plaster falling from the walls and ceiling
- Toxic mold in the bathroom tainting the air
- Infestations of pest insects which carry disease
- Water leaking into live electrical sockets, switches, and light fixtures–a clear fire hazard
Nyree has reported the unsafe living conditions multiple times to the property managers but has received either unfulfilled promises in return or expected repair deadlines of six months or more.
Unfortunately, Nyree isn’t alone. Residents of New York City Public Housing Authority properties are no strangers to dangerous living conditions. In recent months there have been a number of high-profile elevator accidents in New York public housing buildings (including a preventable fatal elevator accident), several apartment fires (one of which killed two young children), and multiple reports of toxic water leaking from the ceilings and walls.
Investigators from the news site PIX11 contacted New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer for a comment and Stringer called the New York City Public Housing Authority “a broken mess” with a backlog of over 55,000 much needed repairs. One lawsuit forced the NYCHA to pay out because residents were waiting on average 63 days for simple paint jobs.
If improper maintenance, landlord negligence, or faulty repairs have led to injuries, you may be able to seek financial compensation. Contact an experienced New York City apartment complex accident lawyer today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at or 212-385-1122 for a free consultation.