Work is finally underway at the Gravesend Houses in Coney Island, nearly six years after Hurricane Sandy swamped the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development.

But residents say the problems go far beyond storm damage.

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"It's terrible, it's like living in an abandoned place," Gravesend Houses resident Phyllis Clarke said. "Water leaks — the roaches are taking over because the walls are wet from leaks."

In Clarke's kitchen, a bucket collects water from the leaking sink. A cabinet became rotted from the leak and NYCHA never replaced it. Roaches crawl across the moldy wall. Her front door has no doorknob.

"When I open the door inside, it comes out," Clarke said.

She's not alone: Dozens of residents say their apartments are infested with mice and roaches.

"I don't put things in the cabinets because of the roaches. They start running out. They're out of control," Gravesend Houses resident Timothy Mitchell said, opening a cabinet.

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Mitchell said it's a health hazard for his family of five in his two-bedroom apartment. He keeps their clothes in plastic bags because of the roaches. Like Clarke, he says his NYCHA service repair requests, for everything from leaks to falling paint, have gone unanswered.

"I was ashamed. I come into my apartment and there are roaches crawling out of the ceiling," he said. "We're spending hundreds of dollars in roach spray, traps, mouse traps. It's ridiculous."

Living conditions are about to get worse for some residents, as gas is about to be shut down for weeks. NYCHA posted signs in some buildings announcing gas lines will be replaced and gas will be turned off through November 14.

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Residents said they're not confident that work will be done on schedule. They're being given hot plates so they can cook during the gas outage.

"I'm hoping and praying they'll be finished before Thanksgiving," resident Mia Rowe said. "Last year, I didn't even have water pressure. I couldn't even cook."

Tenant association leaders say problems at the Gravesend Houses began spiraling out of control after Sandy's devastation.

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"We didn't get the help we needed right away, and the building start deteriorating and people's apartments," said Christine Ruben, the vice president of the tenant association.

They blame NYCHA. "They're the worst landlord that could ever be," said Deborah Carter, the president of the tenant association. "They ought to be ashamed of themselves."

"Our residents should not have to deal with these issues. We will immediately look into these concerns and take any necessary action right away," NYCHA said in a statement to NY1.