Residents blast Clason Point
City comptroller visits NYCHA development, reports ‘deplorable’ conditions
BY JASON COHEN
Broken sidewalks and ramps, fallen
trees, wildlife issues, roof damage,
exterior light problems and mold are
among the many issues at the Clason
Point Gardens.
On Oct. 19, Comptroller Scott
Stringer sent a letter to NYCHA Chair
Greg Russ calling on the agency to immediately
address multiple failures at
the homes in Clason Point.
“While touring the development, I
observed broken sidewalks and ramps,
damaged roofs, a poorly maintained
playground and tree debris and infrastructural
damage from Tropical
Storm Isaias, which struck New York
on Aug. 4,” Stringer said in the letter.
“I was told by residents that many of
these conditions have existed for years,
but were exacerbated by damage from
the storm.”
He asked the chair for a written response
by Monday, Nov. 2.
Dorothy Febus, Clason Point tenant
leader and residents Theresa
Wright, Christin Cole and Rosa Rifas
spoke with the Bronx Times about
the issues.
The women, who have lived and
grown up in Clason Point, are disgusted
with the state of things at
the development.
According to residents, roofs are
littered with holes from raccoons and
squirrels, buildings are lined with
mold, sidewalks are cracked, front
yards are not maintained by management
and barely any repairs get done.
In fact, one tree fell on a home after a
storm and sat there for three months.
In the past, management knew
the people who lived there and living
conditions were better.
“Managers sit in their offi ce all
day and they don’t even know their
tenants,” Febus said.
The tenant leader explained that the
moisture in the ceiling was so bad that
part of it collapsed near her head.
There were also issues with the tiles
in her shower wearing away, so she replaced
some on her own. But since they
are different than the original ones,
NYCHA will not do any more work.
She noted that lighting often does
not work in front of people’s homes
and even recently, a shed was fl ipped
upside down during a storm and still
remains unfi xed.
“We are neglected. Clason Point essentially
does not exist,” she stressed.
Cole explained that the raccoons
are not just outside but often get into
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,20 OCT. 30-NOV. 5, 2020 BTR
Comptroller Scott Stringer observes the issues at Clason Point Houses.
Courtesy Offi ce of the Comptroller
homes, especially if people do not have
screens in their windows. They were
told unless they capture an animal, the
ASPCA will not come.
Whether it’s trees that need to be
cut or shabby yards that are not maintained,
Cole said that the homes lack
the necessary upkeep for a proper
standard of living.
“No one listens. It’s like talking to
deaf ears,” Cole said. “They’re quick
to remind you it’s not yours, but they
don’t do anything to help you.”
Wright, who has been there for 62
years, is fed up with the lack of responsibility
the management has.
According to Wright, it used to be
a nice friendly area for military families,
but now it seems everything is
falling apart and no one cares.
“They don’t have enough maintenance
here,” she said. “I think
they undervalue us because it’s
public housing.”
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