Harlem Tenants Demand Heat Amid Dangerous Cold Spell

Residents of 350 Manhattan Ave building seek legal action against management over inconsistent heating issues

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:31pm

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Tenants in a Harlem apartment building at 350 Manhattan Ave say they have been dealing with inconsistent and inadequate heat for weeks during a dangerous cold spell in New York City. Residents, including Ebony Mcrary and her two children, as well as longtime tenant Rebecca Middleton, are now seeking legal action against the building's management, 350 Manhattan Ave LP, which operates under Arch Rock Management. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development has filed two heat violations against the building this week.

Why it matters

Access to reliable heat is a basic right for New York City residents, especially during the winter months when dangerously low temperatures can pose serious health risks. This case highlights the ongoing challenges some tenants face in getting their landlords to provide adequate heating, even in rent-stabilized buildings, and the need for stronger enforcement and tenant protections.

The details

Tenants say the building's radiators have been turning on and off sporadically, with heat only lasting for a few minutes at a time. Resident Ebony Mcrary, who lives with her two children, said she has been dealing with this issue since late last year and has previously filed complaints about other problems like lead-based paint and uneven floors. Mcrary has now taken legal action, filing a harassment suit and criminal contempt of court case against the building's management for failing to make repairs. Longtime resident Rebecca Middleton, who has lived in the building for nearly 50 years, echoed the heating issues, saying the radiators only work for short periods.

  • The heating problems have been ongoing since late 2025, when Ebony Mcrary first complained to building management.
  • This week, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development filed two heat violations against the 350 Manhattan Ave building.

The players

Ebony Mcrary

A Harlem resident who lives in the 350 Manhattan Ave building with her two children and has been dealing with inconsistent heating issues since late 2025.

Rebecca Middleton

A longtime resident of the 350 Manhattan Ave building, having lived there for nearly 50 years, who is also experiencing problems with the building's heating system.

350 Manhattan Ave LP

The company that manages the 350 Manhattan Ave building, which operates under Arch Rock Management.

Jordan J.G. Wright

The New York State Assemblymember who connected Ebony Mcrary with a tenant advocacy nonprofit to discuss legal representation.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

The city agency that filed two heat violations against the 350 Manhattan Ave building this week and is monitoring the situation to ensure residents receive adequate heat.

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What they’re saying

“I wish this was a joke, but it's not. I pay rent every time. At some point, when is human decency gonna happen?”

— Ebony Mcrary, Harlem Resident (CBS News New York)

“I am freezing in here. The heat comes on at 6, and it cuts off 6:30. It comes back on maybe 7 or maybe 8.”

— Rebecca Middleton, Longtime Resident (CBS News New York)

“Every New Yorker has the right to heat and hot water, and I think it's important that buildings and property managers are doing everything that's in their power to make sure that every building has heat and hot water.”

— Jordan J.G. Wright, New York State Assemblymember (CBS News New York)

What’s next

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development's emergency repair program will continue monitoring the 350 Manhattan Ave building to ensure residents receive adequate heat. Ebony Mcrary is also meeting with the tenant advocacy nonprofit Pa'Lante next week to discuss potential legal representation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing struggle some New York City tenants face in getting their landlords to provide basic necessities like reliable heat, even in rent-stabilized buildings. It underscores the need for stronger enforcement and tenant protections to ensure all residents have access to safe, comfortable living conditions, especially during dangerous winter weather.