Some tenants at Detroit senior center complain they have no A/C - Fox 2 News Headlines

The hum of the air conditioner is missing at a Detroit senior complex.

"It's hot.  That's how I feel.  It's hot," said Helen Adams.

She and so many other residents who live in the east side elderly apartments on Mack Avenue are forced to sit outside to beat the heat.

"Eight, nine, ten o'clock, I had to sit out here until eleven o'clock at night," Adams said.

"We've got fans and that's not doing any good," said Rosie Mubirau.  "We haven't had any air since June of last year."

Lately it's become unbearable.  In a third floor apartment, it was a sweltering 91 degrees at eight o'clock at night.  Some of these seniors with walkers, others on oxygen, and they don't know how much more they can take.

"A lot of [people] here have breathing problems and they need the air.  That's all.  We just want air," Mubirau said.

"On the third, that's when I get my check and that's when they get their rent.  I [have] never been late, and I think something should be done about it."

Management was gone for the day, but the building captain stepped in to tell us they're working on it.  There are about 15 more units to go.

"I just take care of the tenants when they need help," said Betty Williams.  "They tell me they're working on it."

One problem, according to the residents, is that thieves keep coming in and swiping the copper lines connected to the air conditioning units.  Workers are eventually called in to fix it, but not quick enough.

"I think if we complain enough about it, they might fix it, but right now they [aren't] doing a damn thing.  Excuse my French, but that's just the way it is," said Adams.