Freezing Temps Flood City With Heat-Related Complaints
A record number of complaints are reported on the coldest day of the year so far.
New York City's seeing a record number of heat-related complaints from tenants.
Yesterday, the coldest day so far this winter, more than 3,000 complaints were called into the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Officials say that was the highest number in a single day this season.
Elana Schneyer with a tenant advocacy group in Brooklyn said having no heat is not a joking matter. Schneyer said "it's terrible when people, especially young children or elderly, have to go days without heat." She said people will often run their oven or boil water in pots on their stoves to keep warm.
On the same day last winter season, the city received only 715 complaints. However, officials point out the low was 33 degrees last January 24th, compared to yesterday's low of 6 degrees. The city says it expects to get more complaints the colder it gets this winter, and will bring in more inspectors and maintenance crews to handle problems.
