Milwaukee family says they're left without heat in apartment complex during dangerous cold snap
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Just one day after the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) had to evacuate residents inside a Berrada property for having no heat or running water, residents at an apartment complex on 31st and Wells say they’re using the shower to heat up their home.
Dripping water greets the residents inside this Berrada Properties apartment complex.
"Devastating. You know, I wish they would come and help us out and do their job,” said Denesha Mckinney, a Berrada Properties resident.
“Sadly, that’s something we’re just getting used to because it’s been so long,” said resident Anthony Johnson.
For Mckinney and Johnson, it’s not the only issue.
“It’s brutal actually. It’s pretty cold. We kinda feel the temperature outside almost,” said Mckinney.
The two have had little to no heat in their apartment.
“Currently, I’m using space heaters. I’m actually using my shower for the steam and that’s kinda how we’ve been getting by for the winter,” said Mckinney.
In a statement, Berrada Properties told CBS 58 that staff was “dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the water leak.”
Berrada Properties lawyer Joe Goldberger said the “the leak is unrelated to heating issues.”
When CBS 58 asked for comment on the heating issues, Goldberger replied, "Heat in the building is fully functional.”
“Honestly, it’s really like a slumlord. That’s how I feel about it. He doesn’t really help out the units. He doesn't really fix the unit, work on the unit,” said Mckinney.
The Department of Neighborhood Services says it responded to more than 100 calls of little-to-no-heat complaints.
“The other trend we’re seeing this winter that’s somewhat worrisome are people are waiting weeks in insufficient or no heat situations using space heaters, using ovens, and they should call us much earlier,” said Jeremy McGovern with DNS.
Johnson says he’s still waiting for a permanent solution.
“I don’t think nothing will change because they’ve been doing it for so long and it’s like a monopoly at this point, where it’s like, they’re the big elephant in the room but there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Johnson.
