NEWBURGH – State Attorney General Letitia James has reached a major win for residents of the Kenney Apartments in the City of Newburgh by securing a $400,000 refund for impacted tenants and an agreement from the complex owners to make all necessary repairs.
Many residents have lived without heat or hot water for years and with substandard living conditions that include pest infestations, broken windows and doors, mold, water and sewage leaks into their homes, and other issues.
City Councilman Rob McLymore was the first to bring the situation to the attorney general
“These repairs should have been done; it’s a mandate,” he said. “Them doing it now because of a settlement doesn’t preclude them or give them some type of relieve. They should have done it already. It’s a basic need.”
Councilwoman Tamika Stewart said the positive results are all due to the residents’ “organizing and steadfast efforts.”
Under the settlement with the attorney general’s office, the owners of the complex must provide rebates to the tenants amounting to over $409,000.
If the owners violate the settlement, they will be liable to a $100,000 penalty.
The settlement also requires them to make monthly reports documenting their progress and any new issues that arise.
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