A 71-year-old breast cancer survivor in New York City is enduring a harrowing ordeal, forced to live in a rat-infested apartment in the Bronx despite repeated pleas to her landlord for help. Cora Robinson, who has been fighting the infestation for nearly a year, says she now arms herself with a piece of plywood in a desperate attempt to fend off the rodents that plague her home.
A Desperate Battle Against Rodents
In a tearful interview with ABC 7, Robinson described how she initially placed the plywood to block rats from running along the baseboards, but her efforts proved futile. "I thought it would keep them from running around the baseboard, but now what they are doing - they're so big, they jump over it," she explained. She had hoped the barrier would prevent the rats from entering her kitchen, but the persistent pests continue to invade her living space.
Health Fears and Emotional Toll
The situation has taken a severe toll on Robinson's physical and mental well-being. She revealed that she cannot sleep or eat properly, fearing for her health after already overcoming breast cancer. "I can't sleep, I'm not eating. And if I don't stop this, I'm going to wind up in the hospital. I almost wound up there yesterday," she said. Robinson worries about what she and her dog are being exposed to in the unsanitary conditions.
Her hopes of hosting an Easter gathering were dashed when she discovered two rats sifting through her kitchen on a Friday night. "I'm tired of cleaning poop off the stove. I mean, it's terrible. If you turn the oven on, it smells like them," she lamented. To protect her pet, she keeps the dog's water, bed, and food in her bedroom, stating, "I can't leave it out here because they'll get into it."
Systemic Housing Issues
Robinson has filed multiple complaints with the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which has previously cited her landlord. However, the problems persist. "All these people need to come and take a look and smell. That's what I wish they would do," she urged. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has reported 561 open violations associated with the property, with 206 classified as 'Class C' violations, indicating serious hazards.
Broader Tenant Struggles
This is not an isolated case. Over 30 tenants have sued Asden Management, the landlord involved, alleging unlivable conditions for years. Residents have complained about missing stoves, broken refrigerators, rat infestations, mold, and leaks. A lawyer for the tenants, Douglas Henderson Jr., emphasized, "We're not asking for the yellow brick road. We're just asking for a decent place to live for our tenants."
Another tenant, Sherene Morris, a mother without a working stove, confirmed in 2024 that she also lives in the building with rats and a broken fridge. "I reached out to the landlord three times and they refuse to do anything for me," she said. "They didn't respond." A lawsuit from 2023 against Asden Management and the landlords, alleging unlivable conditions, remains pending.
No Escape in Sight
Robinson expressed a desire to move out but cannot afford to do so, leaving her trapped in the infested apartment. "I'm just done," she said, adding, "I'm so disgusted because it's not right that I should have to live like this." The ongoing battle has left her feeling exhausted and hopeless, with no resolution in sight despite her cries for help.
