From sanctuary to hazard: Bed-Stuy resident sounds alarm on unsafe building conditions
City records show seven open violations at the building and 17,311 complaints filed just this month.
More Stories
A broken lock is just the tip of the iceberg at 260 Howard Ave. It's one of three in the building, including the front door, leaving residents like Raquel Gibbs feeling unsafe.
"You don't need a key. If you go down the ramp to the gate - it's broken. They broke every lock in this building. Nothing is safe in this building!" Gibbs said.
After 23 years in what she once called her sanctuary, Gibbs says her home has turned into a hub of health hazards, including mice, bullet-riddled blinds, and nearby homeless encampments.
"This is where they are camping, and they're living; and they come in the middle of the night. I'm struggling with these conditions, these are inhumane conditions and Concord just doesn't work with the tenants," Gibbs added.
City records show seven open violations at the building and 17,311 complaints filed just this month. Gibbs says Concord Building Management has remained silent, even after court action.
"The city won on my case, the city won, but the judge didn't order the landlord to come here and really do these repairs. So I'm suffering in a condition," she said.
Gibbs, who is forced to find a new home, says she still hopes for change.
"To the landlords; please do your responsibility, and that's it. Make living sustainable the same way you live in your home," she said.
News 12 reached out to Concord Management about these concerns. It says the matter is currently under review.
