Hempfield Towers residents heated about going days without air conditioning
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The thermometer that sits on Gioia Schreckengost’s television stand in her fifth-floor apartment read 82 degrees, inching close to the 86-degree temperature outside.
Residents at Hempfield Towers on South Grande Boulevard have been without air conditioning since June 21 after a mechanical failure with the unit, according Michael Washowich, executive director of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority.
“I know there’s a lot of people who are dehydrated so that’s an issue,” Schreckengost, 36, said. “Nothing was provided for us. If the maintenance had come around and maybe offered fans or even just checked, I think it would have made a big difference. The lack of communication was really bad.”
According to the posted signs, parts to fix the unit were received Tuesday, but key parts were missing. The remaining parts were received Wednesday. Maintenance officials, who were required to wait 24 hours for an epoxy to dry as part of the repairs, expected to have air conditioning restored by 5 p.m. Thursday, Washowich said.
Officials could not be reached Thursday night to provide an update.
In the meantime, residents were asked to not call the emergency service, according to a sign posted in the elevator.
Schreckengost said she has been checking on elderly residents who she knows have medical conditions such as asthma.
“I don’t think (management) put our best interests (first) … We have veterans that live here and they didn’t check on any of them,” Schreckengost said. “Not even a wellness check, nothing. I’ve done my best just going and asking people, ‘Are you OK?’ I’ve given food to people because they’re so hot that they’re not getting up and actually cooking.”
Washowich said the housing authority has been working closely with residents, adding they were informed of the situation from the first day of the breakdown. He noted air conditioning is not a requirement under health codes.
“It’s heated up here the past couple of days, but the beginning of the week it wasn’t really hot so that building stayed at a decent level,” Washowich said.
Temperatures reached a high near 77 degrees Tuesday, then climbed into the mid-80s Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Trying to beat the heat, residents gathered under an outside pavilion to escape the stagnant air inside.
John Smartnick, 69, who has lived in the building for six years, said he has his blinds pulled shut and is keeping all windows and doors open to help air flow through his apartment. Schreckengost said she has been standing in cold water and has a small fan next to her bed to try and keep her cool at night.
“Management should have done it (checked on residents) and if management could not sufficiently do it, it should have been HUD housing,” Schreckengost said, referring to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “I don’t feel like any of them have come to help.”