7 On Your Side gets NYCHA to take action against horrible living conditions

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Roaches, rodents and potentially dangerous chemicals created far from suitable living conditions for a family of 10 in New York City housing.

10-year-old Mohamed Ali knows if watches the holes in his apartment sooner or later something will crawl out, and the holes are everywhere.

"I saw roaches, mice, ants crawling in the food, it was so disgusting," said Yasmin Ali, a tenant.

It has been two weeks since filthy water bubbled up through the family's kitchen sink. Then the toilet exploded.

The kitchen and one bathroom were ripped out from their apartment in the Queensbridge Houses, leaving the Ali's with no stove or sink for 14 days.

That's tough for any family but for a family with eight kids, ranging from toddler to teenager, it's been impossible.

"We didn't have bathrooms, we couldn't shower, we couldn't use any water, we couldn't drink or no thing," Yasmin said.

While one worker wearing a mask toils away alone, all eight kids just breathe in the dust. After the baby ate a piece of plaster, Yasmin Ali contacted their councilman, Jimmy Van Bramer.

Once he saw the conditions, he too complained to the head of the New York City Housing Authority. A repairman showed up, but weeks later, there has not been a lot of progress. So he called 7 On Your Side.

"It would be deplorable in any country, in any neighborhood, but the fact that it's happening here in New York City in a NYCHA development is absolutely an outrage," Van Bramer said.

We thought so too, so we got hold of NYCHA...and sent them photos.

The agency immediately moved the entire Ali family to a local hotel where they remained for almost a week.

The repairs on their unit got fast-tracked a week later.

There is now gas and running water and the big family is finally back home.

"We have a kitchen and a bathroom!" a child said.

There's also a new goal for the daughter who called for help.

"So you'd like to be like Councilman Van Bramer?" Nina Pineda said.

"Yes, because you get to help others and not think about yourself," Yasmin said.

The walls are fixed and the holes are all patched.

"Thank you 7 On Your Side," a little one said.

"Are you glad to be home?" Pineda asked

"Yes!" the little one said!