New York Sues To End 'Horrific' Crisis In Hudson Valley

AG James files lawsuit against owners of neglected Newburgh apartment complex

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:47am

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New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of the Kenney Apartments in Newburgh, alleging that residents have been subjected to a long list of code violations, including a persistent lack of consistent heat and hot water, mold and mildew infestations, rodent problems, sewage leaks, and structural dangers.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing housing crisis in the Hudson Valley, where low-income families and seniors have been forced to endure dangerous and unsanitary living conditions due to landlord neglect. The case raises broader questions about affordable housing standards, tenant protections, and the role of government in ensuring safe and livable homes for all.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that the Kenney Apartments, an affordable housing development in Newburgh, has more than 160 building code violations, including a lack of consistent heat and hot water since 2023, with a complete shutoff lasting from October 2025 through January 2026. Residents have reported years of leaking ceilings, water and sewage intrusion, peeling paint, exposed wiring, broken appliances, and inadequate structural repairs.

  • In October 2025, the Kenney Apartments reportedly experienced a complete shutoff of heat and hot water that lasted until January 2026.
  • On Monday, February 3, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the lawsuit against the owners and managers of the Kenney Apartments.

The players

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who filed the lawsuit against the owners and managers of the Kenney Apartments.

Kenney Apartments

An affordable housing development in Newburgh, New York, that has been the subject of the lawsuit due to its long-standing code violations and neglected living conditions.

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What they’re saying

“It is outrageous that the Kenney residents have suffered in dangerous and inhumane conditions while their landlords ignored their calls for help. No one should be forced to endure a New York winter without heat or hot water. I am taking the owners of these apartments to court to get justice for the New Yorkers who have been cruelly neglected, and make sure they have a safe, clean, and warm place to live.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General (hudsonvalleypost.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks court orders requiring the owners to fix all outstanding violations within 30 days, restore safe, livable conditions, and ensure consistent heat and hot water. The court is also being asked to require expert assessments and remediation plans for heating systems and mold problems, provide temporary housing for tenants whose units need major work, and impose restitution and penalties on the property's owners if they fail to comply.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing housing crisis in the Hudson Valley, where low-income families and seniors have been forced to endure dangerous and unsanitary living conditions due to landlord neglect. It raises broader questions about affordable housing standards, tenant protections, and the role of government in ensuring safe and livable homes for all.