Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says a Bronx property owner has abandoned at least 19 properties across the borough that now have more than 8,000 housing violations, 2,000 of which are emergency violations.

New York City officials say there is an epidemic of Bronx building owners, like Ocelot, abandoning their properties because they can't afford to pay their mortgages. Schumer is now calling on Fannie Mae to ensure preservation buyers of dangerously deteriorated buildings commit to repairing them and keeping rents low.

Residents at 1804 Weeks Ave. say their apartments are in severe disrepair, with some ceilings collapsing and floors lifting.

AP wires contributed to this article.