Residents at the Mitchell Houses on Thursday night say there may finally be light at the end of the tunnel.
The disruption began after a gas explosion in the building’s boiler room in October.
What You Need To Know
Residents at the Mitchel Houses in the Bronx say they’ve been without cooking gas since Oct. 1
The disruption began after a gas explosion in the building’s boiler room
Tenants we spoke with after a closed-door meeting with NYCHA say they were told gas could be restored as soon as two weeks
It caused a partial collapse of the chimney, forcing cooking gas to be shut off across the public housing complex.
“I did find out in Building 5 that gas should be on as by the end of December, or the beginning of January,” tenant Janine Rabenau said.
Tenants that NY1 spoke with after a closed-door meeting with NYCHA say they were told gas could be restored as soon as two weeks, something many say they desperately need.
“That’s great news. That’s great news,” Rabenau said.
For others, frustration is still front and center.
“It took too long. Outside food is expensive, and I’ve been spending money on outside food,” tenant Nakia Williams said.
NY1 reached out to confirm the timeline residents were given.
In an earlier response, the agency didn’t provide a specific date, but said gas restoration involves structural repairs, inspections and safety clearances before service can be turned back on.
“It is what it is, and we just got to take it one day at a time. Try not to stress too much,” tenant Marie Rafael said.
For now, tenants are waiting to see whether this timeline holds and what the next phase of repairs will bring.
“I’ve been holding it down. That’s all I can do. I’m a New Yorker. What do you expect?” Rafael said.