At 100 Terrace Avenue in Hempstead, some tenants say they now suit up just to sit on the couch. Residents of the 420-unit complex report black mold, constant leaks and pest infestations so severe that a number of them wear masks and gloves inside their own apartments. They also describe broken elevators, on-and-off heat and water, and used needles in common areas, while plumbing problems linger for months without permanent fixes. The long-running complaints have triggered a lawsuit and fresh scrutiny as the building’s new owner prepares a multimillion-dollar overhaul.
Hudson Valley Property Group, which closed on the property earlier this year, says it plans to pour roughly $23 million into modernizing apartments and building systems, about $55,000 per unit, as part of a broader $145 million preservation project. The company says it has secured a renewed HUD Project-Based Section 8 contract and expects to keep most residents on site while the work is underway. Documents tied to the transaction show about $107 million of the total went to purchasing the building and lot, according to a release from PR Newswire.
Tenants Say Conditions Are Dire
Several residents told New York Post they resort to wearing masks and gloves at home to cope with black mold and what the article called “mutant” bugs. Local reporting has chronicled long-standing complaints about broken elevators, sluggish maintenance response and persistent rodent and roach issues, according to Long Island Press. Tenants say none of this is new and that they have been sounding the alarm for years.
Tenant Organizing And A Lawsuit
Community leader Tina Shuford, listed in Village and Town meeting records as an organizer at 100 Terrace, has helped build a tenants’ union pushing for repairs and accountability, according to Town of Hempstead. In an interview with New York Post, Shuford said she has not used her kitchen in years and has paid out of pocket to patch ceilings and fix pipes. Last summer, she filed suit against the prior owner, naming Peter Florey and Terrace 100 LP, and alleging the building is uninhabitable. The lawsuit seeks court-ordered repairs and damages and has helped fuel local pressure on officials to keep closer watch on the property.
Owner Response And Renovation Details
Hudson Valley Property Group says it has started evaluations and planning for upgrades, and that the renovation will include new cabinetry and appliances, boiler and roofing work, full elevator modernization and improved security, according to its release via PR Newswire. The firm also emphasized that affordability will be preserved through the renewed HUD contract and a PILOT agreement with the Town of Hempstead IDA, the release noted. Residents say they welcome the pledges but are pushing for immediate mold cleanup and a clear, public timeline for the promised repairs.
What To Watch
Tenant advocates say they plan to keep pressing for concrete remediation plans, firm schedules and protections for residents during construction, not just assurances about future upgrades. Local officials involved in the preservation deal say they will oversee the project, while tenants and organizers intend to keep using legal action and public pressure to demand follow-through on repairs, according to Long Island Press. For now, many at 100 Terrace say they are waiting to see whether the work on the ground will live up to what has been promised on paper.
