Protesters hunger strike outside Department of Housing in Lower Manhattan

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Protesters camped out in the freezing temperatures for a hunger strike into the early morning hours Friday in front of the Department of Housing in Lower Manhattan.

About a dozen people who call 85 Bowery home are demanding quicker building repairs.

Three weeks ago, city inspectors ordered a full vacate order on the 16-unit building in Chinatown due to structural concerns.

The building owner is replacing a stairwell and making other critical repairs, but residents say these issues are not new problems.

People will not be allowed back in the building for another six to eight weeks.

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