II have a concern as I am lodging a complaint alleging retaliation and response to my repeated reports of unsafe and uninhabitable housing conditions within my residence. 4 months I have reported the following issues a stove with only one working burner being left without heat for 3 weeks and ongoing drug activity in criminal behavior within the building and additional actions that I believe your punitive and response to my complaints. I have contacted building management the regional manager the dauphin county housing authority HUD fair housing my state representative and medical professionals and no corrective action was taken. Most concerning the regional manager told me directly that I could complain to any agency and no one is going to do anything not even the president and this statement reflects disregard for accountability and tenant protections. Shortly after continuing to raise concerns adult protective services initiated and investigation into me instead of addressing the documented building issues. I was not provided with the complaint against me nor was the purpose of the investigation clearly explained. The timing and sequence of these events Ray serious concerns at protective services may have been used as a retaliatory measure. I stayed clearly that I am mentally competent that I am physically capable that I am independently managing my affairs and I am capable of caring for myself despite having a physical disability. My disability does not equal incapacity it does not justify presumption intrusion or investigative pressure without clear cause and transparent explanation which I was not given. Instead of my safety concerns about the building and the people in it being addressed adult protective service appeared at my door to question me. I am 54 years old and will soon be 55 the abuse that I endured occurred between the ages of 1 and 13 I ran away from home at 13 years old and have been self-supporting and independent ever since. I feel that what happened to me over 40 years ago has no relevance to my present day mental competence or ability to manage my life bringing forward childhood trauma in this context through the aps agent was unnecessary and re-traumatizing I was also asked whether I maintain contact with my parents or family members individuals who were directly involved in the abuse I survived and I felt like this line of questioning was deeply inappropriate and insensitive. The representative engaged me in a conversation in a manner that felt misleading when I asked whether he was there to help address the ongoing issues I had reported about the building and the people in it that question appeared to be redirected rather than answered and I was left confused about the true purpose of the visit. Given the timing of this investigation after I have repeatedly reported serious building safety issues and the people that are conducting criminal activities I am deeply concerned that this action may be retaliatory does anyone have any help for me or any direction I feel like I need to get me a lawyer at this point. My financials and my medical record was already exposed and this representative already had information on me without even me having to answer those questions which I felt was very intrusive at this point. I need help has anyone ever experienced this and what do I do at this point thank you
Why don't you talk to APS and take advantage of that resource. Tell them what's going on and more importantly, show them. If you are disabled and they come to your home, show them the broken stove and invite them to have a look around and see for themselves. Ask them to speak to the housing manager and the police andevery other entity you spoke to about everything going on in your building.
Are you in subsidized housing? What exactly is your living situation?
If you are paying rent (and not in govt housing) you can put your rent payments into a escrow account (to show intent of payment). But you need to have a paper trail of your complaint and their response (or lack thereof).
Is there a family member or someone in your complex that may be concerned about your situation and that's who possibly alerted them to your situation? We are a forum of mostly unpaid family caregivers (and receivers). This forum is for education and support. I think you need to contact pro-bono legal firms that deal with tenants rights.
More details from you would be helpful.
This does not sound like an ideal situation to be in, and it seems like you are renting from a slum lord instead of someone who is reputable. Some of these folks are collecting the government subsidized money for these units but are not providing the upkeep and disabled and elderly clients are suffering because of it.
The Attorney General's office in my city has just busted a landlord and his mother for over seventy buildings where people had no heat or other necessities even in this cold spell we've been having lately. Tenants had to be relocated out of these buildings because they were uninhabitable.
"Here are options and next steps you can take in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania for legal help with a serious/unsafe housing issues and HUD-related matters:
Local Legal Aid & Pro Bono Legal Services:
Free/Low-Cost Legal Aid Providers
MidPenn Legal Services – A nonprofit legal services provider that offers free civil legal assistance for low-income residents including housing issues (e.g., tenant’s rights, habitability, eviction defense). You can call them to apply, and they handle landlord/tenant and public housing cases. Eligibility is income-based.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. – This is the statewide consortium that coordinates legal aid providers (like MidPenn). They can help you locate the right legal aid program and may offer referrals or information on pro bono housing lawyers.
General tip: Ask specifically for a housing rights/tenant habitability attorney or ask for a referral to someone handling HUD/public housing complaints if your case involves assisted housing.
County Pro Bono Programs:
Dauphin County Pro Bono Program – Coordinated through the local bar association. You can call the Dauphin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 717-232-7536 (press the pro bono option if available) to ask about free volunteer attorneys who might handle housing cases.
What You Should Do Next
1. Document Everything
- Keep written records of lack of heat, APS visits, complaints to agencies, landlord interactions, and dates.
- Take photos/videos, keep copies of letters/emails, and log phone calls.
2. **Apply for Legal Aid Immediately
Contact MidPenn Legal Services right away and explain:
- You are in public housing (HUD) or subsidized rental.
- You have been without heat.
- You have reported conditions to APS/HUD and others with no change.
If they determine you qualify, they may represent you in court or in negotiations with the housing authority or landlord.
Tip: Many legal aid offices have long wait lists, so apply sooner rather than later.
3. Request a Court Order (“Show Cause”)
In Pennsylvania, when a landlord fails to provide basic services (like heat), you may be able to ask a court to enter a “show cause” order requiring the landlord to fix conditions or face legal penalties.
Legal aid can help you file this.
4. Contact Additional Resources
Even if you’ve already reached out to agencies:
HUD Complaint Hotline: file a formal complaint at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/complaint or call 1-800-669-9777. HUD must investigate housing discrimination and serious habitability violations.
Local Health Department: Lack of heat can be a local code violation and may lead to enforcement action.
5. Media/Advocacy Groups
Since media hasn’t helped, consider:
Tenant unions or housing advocacy groups in central PA.
Local government officials – city council or state reps may advocate on your behalf.
Critical Points
Legal aid services are based on financial eligibility. If you qualify, you could get a free attorney to represent you in housing court or a HUD dispute.
A pro bono lawyer through the county bar may take your case if MidPenn can’t due to capacity."