Hempstead Tenant Says Leaks, Pests Made Apartment Unusable

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Hempstead Village resident Tina Shuford said conditions inside her unit at the 100 Terrace apartment complex have left her unable to live normally in the apartment she has called home for decades.

Shuford, 59, tenant union president at the Hempstead apartment complex, pointed to damaged flooring, dark staining and areas she described as mold-like growth.

During a tour of her apartment, Shuford showed Patch areas she said were affected by leaks, water damage, pests and mold-like growth, along with belongings stored in bins and rooms she said she could no longer fully access because she was trying to protect her possessions from water damage.

Patch photos from the visit show dark staining around floors, walls, vents, and fixtures; damaged flooring and wall areas; and insects inside the apartment, as well as areas Shuford said reflected years of unresolved repair complaints.

Shuford said she had spent time in rehabilitation centers and did not know when she would be able to return to her apartment.

“My doctors didn't want me in that environment because it’s not healthy for me,” Shuford told Patch.

Shuford said she has been diagnosed with COPD, asthma and sleep apnea, and believes conditions in and around her apartment have worsened her symptoms.

“I haven’t moved because I can’t afford to move,” she said.

Shuford showed Patch an area where she said repairs had been left unfinished.

In one room, Shuford said she had piled belongings to protect them from leaks. In another, she said water had damaged her bed multiple times.

“I live in clutter,” she said. “But what am I supposed to do? When it leaks, I have to store my stuff and try to protect it.”

Shuford also pointed to areas near the bathroom and electrical fixtures that she said raised safety concerns.

Shuford said she believes the issues extend beyond her own apartment.

Lilly Hill, a resident who said she lives on the third floor and has physical disabilities, said repairs and renovations have been difficult for her because of her health and mobility issues. She also said elevator outages have created hardship.

“The elevators are terrible,” Hill told Patch. “If the ambulance comes and they can’t get in the elevator, how could they get me?”

Another resident, Pat Williams, 63, said her concerns were mostly with the building, rather than her own apartment. Williams said she uses a rolling walker and lives on the second floor. She said elevator problems make it difficult to get in and out of the building.

“It’s hard for me to get in and out of my apartment when I have groceries or am trying to get out of the building because the elevators are not working,” Williams said.

Williams said she has also had a stuck bedroom window, cracked floors in her living room and rotting bathroom baseboards. She said the garage has been another concern.

“It’s horrible in that garage,” Williams said, adding that the garage door sometimes does not open when residents need to leave.

But Williams also said she has seen improvement since the property changed ownership. She said elevators were being worked on, kitchen and bathroom renovations were expected in her unit, and new security and internet service had been introduced.

“Progress is better than no progress,” Williams said. “Now that we have new ownership, I can see progress.”

Williams said she believed Shuford’s advocacy helped bring attention to conditions at the building.

“She really fought for this building, and really advocated,” Williams said.

In a statement to Patch, a spokesperson for the management team said Hudson Valley Property Group announced its acquisition of 100 Terrace Apartments in January 2026, along with plans for a $23 million renovation project and a 22-year extension of affordability protections.

“While we cannot comment on matters related to prior ownership, we take all resident concerns seriously and promptly investigate maintenance issues that are brought to our attention,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said management has been conducting “a comprehensive evaluation of building-wide conditions” while advancing planned improvements focused on resident safety, comfort and quality of life, including upgrades to individual units, shared spaces, elevators and critical building systems.

“Our priority is to preserve and improve the quality of housing for residents while minimizing disruption during construction,” the spokesperson said. “We are proud that no tenant has been displaced as a result of the renovation efforts, and we remain committed to maintaining open communication with residents throughout the project while ensuring the property is safe, accessible and affordable for Long Island families for years to come.”

Separately, Patch was provided background information stating that management inspected Shuford’s apartment multiple times since acquiring the property, repaired a reported leak in February and conducted two mold inspections that did not identify mold.

The background information also stated that management had attempted to schedule access to complete the remaining cosmetic repairs, but that access had not yet been provided.

Patch was also provided with information stating that construction materials, equipment and fuel are stored and managed in accordance with applicable OSHA requirements and other relevant safety standards, and that safety protocols are in place to protect residents, workers and visitors during the renovation process.

Shuford said the conditions have also affected her ability to organize and assist other tenants. She said a former community room was being used for storage, limiting residents’ ability to gather in a shared space. Williams also said Shuford had previously brought tenants together to discuss building concerns, including in the community room and, at one point, in the hallway.

Shuford said the promised renovations do not erase what she says she has already endured and she plans to keep pressing for repairs and accountability.

“What am I to do?” she said. “I’m not going to stop. Ain’t no stopping me now and forever.”