Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez led a walk-through at NYCHA’s Throggs Neck Houses with NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Councilmember Alexa Avilés, chair of the Committee on Public Housing. This visit comes three weeks after dozens of residents experienced flooding throughout their homes, contributing to thousands of dollars in damage due to a faulty pipe during a maintenance call.
For years, residents of the Throggs Neck Houses have voiced their concerns over the lack of maintenance and communication. During the visit, Council Member Velázquez followed up with residents who filed complaints and walked Trimble, Fernandez and Avilés through the immediate and long-term needs of residents.
“Our community cannot continue to live in these conditions. My office regularly receives calls regarding failed maintenance requests and works quickly to support residents. The lack of accountability is concerning,” said Velázquez.
Throughout their visit, residents, including multiple seniors and families who have lived in the housing development, shared their previous claims with elected officials and building management. Among the complaints include preventable situations, including elevator maintenance, mold, rodents, lack of heat and hot water — to name a few.
“I am shocked and appalled by the level of disregard shown to the people of our community. …People in NYCHA buildings across the city, including Throggs Neck Houses, have for far too long been subjected to substandard living conditions, and unfortunately, the city has failed over and over again to address it,” Fernandez said.
Trimble said that it’s important for NYCHA to hear of experiences firsthand from residents in order to improve the city agency’s response.
“This pipe burst because it is 50 years old and beyond its useful life, and the other issues discussed represent building system problems resulting from years of federal disinvestment and the need for capital funding,” said Trimble. “NYCHA staff will continue to be accountable and make repairs until capital funding is available to rehabilitate these buildings and correct the underlying cause of these problems.”
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