A mother thought life would improve in her Bed-Stuy apartment, but she says the city moved her family from a shelter to a hellhole.

The Department of Homeless Services placed 25-year-old Stephanie Joseph and her two children at 2172 Fulton St. Joseph says building inspectors have found 23 violations in her apartment since August, most of them for lead paint. Tests show her youngest boy is suffering from elevated lead levels, according to Joseph. Joseph also complains she lives with rodent droppings, roaches and holes in the walls.

Landlord Layland Day argues Joseph staged the dropping and holes for news crews, but admits there is a lead paint problem. Day says he tried to strip the paint himself, but was told that was illegal. He says he?s hiring professionals and expects the problem to be fixed within a month. Joseph argues a month is too long to wait when her children?s health is at risk.