Karim Diabates says his home on Allerton Avenue has never had sufficient heat during the winter months, saying that “the landlord only gives a little bit of heat or no heat at all.”

A few days ago when the temperatures dropped below freezing, Diabates says the cold was unbearable, with all of them sleeping in the same room to try and conserve warmth to no avail.

“My kids sleep in sweaters, and I put two portable heaters and we all slept in one room, and it was not enough” Diabates says. “When you have kids and you see them crying, you feel guilty not being able to provide for them.”

The Housing Preservation and Development Department told News 12 that it did issue an inadequate heating violation for a unit last week and will continue to inspect the address.

News 12 has been unable to contact the building’s management at this time.