This mound of trash at the Todt Hill Houses is more than just an eyesore.
"Walking by that garbage is horrible in the summer. It's just really really potent, says Sylvia Morales.
Morales says the outside of the apartment complex looks a lot like it did when she first moved in 17 years ago. She says the New York City Housing authority has ignored her pleas to make improvements.
"They haven't upgraded anything since I have been here. The last thing they did was internally...apartments but externally nothing," says Morales.
Sylvia Cunningham serves as president of the tenant association.
She says in meetings with elected officials and NYCHA, she's asked for new benches, playgrounds and security cameras.
She was told help was on the way but nothing's been done.
"Everything is going in slow motion, says Cunningham.
NY1 contacted NYCHA about the conditions at the Todt Hill Houses, and officials told us changes are on the way.
They say the city council has approved funding for new trash compactors, security cameras and other upgrades
They say the process takes time. The new compactors won't be in place until 2017 and other upgrades could take even longer.
Residents say they only want what's fair.
"We need are compactors. we need everything that everyone else has here on Staten Island who lives in housing," says Cunningham.
"We do have crime here and its scary. Its really scary that there is no cameras," adds Morales.
Assemblyman Michael Cusick says he is working on using state funds for new benches and better playgrounds.
It appears as though residents will have to be patient.
"I am confident that these will be moving in a timely manner. We have been working with the residents associations in NYCHA facilities along with my collegues in city and state government," says Cusick.