Adam Houses tenants say they’ve lost faith in NYCHA as conditions worsen
It’s been nearly a month since a fire destroyed the complex’s elevators, and residents say the list of needed repairs keeps growing.
More Stories
Tenants at the Adam Houses in Melrose say they’ve lost faith in the New York City Housing Authority’s ability to maintain their building.
It’s been nearly a month since a fire destroyed the complex’s elevators, and residents say the list of needed repairs keeps growing.
Walls covered in feces and pipes soaked with days-old urine have created what neighbors describe as unbearable living conditions.
“No one wants to come and clean up," said tenant Vanessa Matos. "No one wants to come and fix anything.”
NYCHA told News 12 it’s working to restore elevator service, but Matos says she’s been forced to haul her laundry up eight flights of stairs for weeks.
“This is all dry pee from the other day,” she said, describing the mess she passes on her way upstairs.
Matos says she makes three trips every laundry day, stopping halfway to use her asthma inhaler.
“Taking the asthma pump gives you that little boost of energy to help you finish going up,” she said.
Tenants say the issues go beyond the elevator. A key scanner at the front entrance has been broken for three years, leaving the door unlocked around the clock.
“This door is always like this, exactly how you see it,” said Andrea De Jesus, another resident, pointing at the wide open lobby.
With anyone able to walk in freely, residents say the building has become unsafe and unsanitary.
“That’s definitely feces. Someone took their manure and put it on the wall and just left it there,” Matos said.
She told News 12 she filed a complaint with NYCHA weeks ago. The agency marked the issue as resolved, but the stain — and the smell — remain.
“[I'm]Out of breath, no energy and just overwhelmed, because this is just ridiculous already,” Matos said.
NYCHA told News 12 Friday morning “NYCHA staff are investigating this issue and will address any custodial concerns."
Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application.
