Residents of the Judge Slater Senior Housing complex at 42nd and Cottage Grove have filed allegations of mismanagement against the building’s property manager, Woodlawn Community Development Corp. The company manages the building for the Chicago Housing Authority.

Run by the Rev. Leon Finney, Woodlawn Community Development Corp. has allegedly allowed bedbugs, rats and roaches to infest the building and employees to intimidate and disrespect the residents, according to a letter dated January 24.

“We feel as if we are prisoners,” said Frances Banks in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. “I feel like I am serving time and haven’t done a crime. My only crime is being 71 years old and exercising my rights as a senior.”

The seniors approached the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization to advocate for changes in the senior complex. The organization held a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today outside the Chicago Housing Authority’s offices in Chicago to bring attention to the situation.

“No one, especially our most vulnerable seniors should live in conditions like those that have been described. No on-site property manager should ever disrespect our residents,” Rev. Finney said in a statement to the newspaper. “I take these allegations seriously and am willing to meet personally face-to-face to better understand the facts and work to resolve any issues.”