Bronx mother of 4 upset over lack of help with rat infestation problem

Starquasia Butler says a hole in the ceiling of her apartment has allowed rats to invade her home. Butler, who was once homeless, was placed in the apartment using a housing voucher she received in March.

News 12 Staff

Dec 21, 2021, 3:36 AM

Updated 1,089 days ago

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A Bronx mother of four who survived domestic abuse is now fighting another battle -- this time with her landlord.
Starquasia Butler says a hole in the ceiling of her apartment has allowed rats to invade her home. Butler, who was once homeless, was placed in the apartment using a housing voucher she received in March.
"Moving out of the shelter, being in there for so long thinking that we were going to have a new beginning and start somewhere fresh - feels like they have failed me," says Butler.
Butler says she adopted a cat to help with the rat problem and so far, it has killed 13 rats.
Butler says she calls her landlord repeatedly for help but all she has gotten was one visit from an exterminator.
"It's just inhumane," says Butler. "It's not fair, it's an injustice and when I call for help, nobody responds.
Butler says she and other residents in the building are also dealing with a mold problem. She has been looking for another apartment but says it's hard to find a place that will accept her housing voucher.