Winter in New York can be brutal. But for some, it’s not just the snow—it’s the cold inside their own homes.
In Far Rockaway, Queens, residents of 438 Beach 40th Street have been without heat. They also lack hot water. This situation has persisted since before the weekend snowstorm. That means boiling pots of water aren’t for cooking—they’re for survival. Space heaters hum, heated blankets hug, and hope flickers in the cracks of aging radiators.
“You know how it makes me feel? Homeless that’s paying rent. Now that’s some sad crap,” said resident Linda Cobia.
“During the storm… no heat. Before the storm… no heat,” added Queen, another resident. “Those frigid, hypothermic weekends… no heat. And we probably won’t have any this weekend either.”
Staying warm has turned into a science experiment, testing creativity and patience. Residents have devised new methods to trap heat. They have learned to ration warmth. They survive one freezing day at a time.
NYCHA resident Janique Falls says she’s filed over 40 tickets since November 26. “It’s always excuses from NYCHA housing,” she said. So far, responses have been few and far between.
Eyewitness News visited the building and saw the problem firsthand. On the second floor, a window was slightly open. Cold air seeped into the halls. This was an unwelcome reminder that not much is being done to keep warmth inside.
For her, and her neighbors, winter isn’t just a season—it’s a daily struggle. The city prides itself on resilience. The cold creeping into their apartments is a reminder that heat isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
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