Some CHA Seniors Lack Heat While Waiting On New Apartments

(CBS) -- In this frigid cold, dozens of seniors are being forced to live without heat. It's been weeks, but they're in public housing with nowhere else to go.

CBS 2's Audrina Bigos reports from the Caroline Hedger Apartments in Rogers Park.

Residents say they're sleeping with coats on. Others are using their ovens to keep warm. But these apartments are owned by the Chicago Housing Authority, and these residents are waiting to move into renovated apartments.

Peggy Spencer is trying to stay warm in an apartment with no heat.

For now, the CHA has given her two space heaters -- a temporary fix.

"Something has to be done. We can't live like this. We shouldn't have to live like this. We have some dignity left," Peggy says.

The CHA says its property managers are doing heating checks twice a day here during the cold weather, and all units are within city code.

Residents are getting a $100 gift cards to cover overages as they use the space heaters.