Residents without air conditioning at Mishawaka apartment as temperatures climb

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind.-- Summer weather is here, and as things heat up, the threat of heat-related disease rises.

ABC57 learned of complaints against the Mishawaka Main Junior High Apartments on Lincolnway West, maintained by the Mishawaka Housing Authority, saying the air conditioning does not work throughout parts of the building.

“Cooking, I was sweating, sitting on my walker. Had to take my shirt off,” said resident David Wise. “But they gave us temporary [air conditioning units], so they are looking out.”

The Housing Authority confirmed they’ve known about an issue for a couple months, but it wasn’t until recently they were able to diagnose the problem and order new parts for their air conditioning system.

They say they are hoping to have the parts in by Friday, but that’s no guarantee.

In the meantime, they are putting single A/C units in the top floor units of the building.

But there seems to be a discrepancy, because the Housing Authority says only the top floor is affected, but neighbors tell ABC57 it’s the two top floors.

Several residents did not want to go on camera, saying they fear retaliation from the Housing Authority.

“Today, you open your window, you’re just going to get more hot air in. So I was cleaning today in my apartment, doing some mopping floors and stuff like that, and I was just sweating like crazy. So, I mean, it’s probably 80-some degrees in my apartment right now,” said resident Michael Verslype. “Probably 80% of the people we have living here have some health issues, and a lot of them are on oxygen. A lot of them have pulmonary problems. And those are the people I feel sorry for.”