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Alex Cabrero reportingThe Pauline Downs Apartments in Salt Lake have air conditioning. However, because residents from nearby condos complained about the noise, the apartments can't run the air conditioning units at night. That has a lot of people upset.
Gerald Long: "I think these guys should hang their heads in shame. I mean, that's just disgusting."
As hot as it's been lately, some say they're getting sick, even developing health problems from the heat.
The air conditioning at is shut down at 8 pm, and can't be turned on again until 11 am the next day.
For many who live in the low-income housing apartments located near 3rd East and 1st South, that means uncomfortable nights. And it's mainly because some of the residents in the high-income condominiums next door complained about the noise coming from their air conditioners.
Chris Doenges, Apartment Resident: "I've just got fans running everywhere."
No matter how many fans Chris Doenges puts in his apartment, it just doesn't seem to help.
Chris Doenges, Apartment Resident: "I open all my windows at night, and put fans everywhere so the air circulates around."
He's not the only one. Open windows are everywhere at the Pauline Downs apartments in Salt Lake, even when temperatures have been reaching triple-digits.
Joe Post, Salt Lake Housing Authority: "There are a few we've been able to help with some coolers."
Joe Post, with the Salt Lake housing authority helps run these low-income apartments. He knows it's hot, but says he can't run the air conditioners at night because it violates a noise ordinance.
Joe Post, Salt Lake Housing Authority: "They're telling us it doesn't meet county codes, and so we need to build an enclosure to fix it."
The enclosure would to help dampen the noise coming from the air conditioners, so it doesn't bother the tenants at "The Club" luxury condominiums next door. Some of the tenants have complained about the noise and threatened a lawsuit.
Cory Dudis, Apartment Resident: "I bet when the windows are closed, you can almost hear it."
Cory Dudis, who lives in the low-income apartments, is being sarcastic because he says he just doesn't know how else to justify sacrificing the well-being of the poor so others are comfortable.
Cory Dudis, Apartment Resident: "Money is power, and when you got enough money, you can get away with anything it seems."
We tried speaking with the club's office manager, but that person wasn't in today. So we left a message, which so far hasn't been returned.
Gerald Long: "It's just beating up on the poor."
In the meantime, management here promises it's working to fix the air conditioners. But they've known about the noise since putting them in a year ago.
Joe Post, Salt Lake Housing Authority: "We've worked very hard to make sure they have cooling, and they do have more now than they've ever had, but we are working so they have it 24 hours a day."
Management here has also said they'd let tenants out of their lease, with no penalties, if they can't bare the heat.
As for getting the air conditioners fixed, they hope to have it done soon.
