“We have a major roach problem in the kitchen in the cabinets and we have a rat problem there’s a hole in the cabinets,” said Adeola Chester’s interpreter.

These complaints are all too familiar in public housing, but Adeola Chester can’t voice her concerns.

“I feel frustrated and angry because these things are not being fixed,” said Chester’s interpreter.

Chester is deaf.

“I don’t understand the writing I’m sorry I need an interpreter,” said Chester’s interpreter.

She claims she’s gone to the Queensbridge Houses property management office numerous times requesting an American Sign Language Interpreter about repairs and to explain rent increases and fees.

“And they just ignoring me and I’ll wait for two hours, it’s apparent they’re lying,” said Chester’s interpreter.

The New York City Housing Authority says it only received one interpretation request from the Queensbridge Houses South Property Management office for Chester in the last year.

“All that my client wants is to be treated like a normal tenant,” said Justin Cope, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society.

The Legal Aid Society is representing Chester since she stopped paying rent over the issues and the Housing Authority took her to court for it.

“She wants to be able to go to NYCHA and say can you explain to me why my bill is so high?” said Cope.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires NYCHA provide auxiliary aids and services when needed.

In fact, NYCHA’s Procedure Manual requires staff provide a sign language interpreter.

“There’s a big problem consistently as it relates to our clients,” said Bruce Gitlin, attorney and executive director of the New York Center for Law and Justice.

Bruce Gitlin is an attorney who specializes in representing the deaf and has more than five clients of his own who are NYCHA residents with similar claims.

He says though NYCHA is not the worst offender, that people at all levels of government often assume incorrectly that communicating in writing will suffice.

"American Sign Language is a primary language, English is a secondary language and for many of our clients there’s a second grade or third grade English competency," said Gitlin.

Chester says she understands more than that but still, "I don’t understand the reading and writing,” said Chester’s interpreter.

NYCHA maintains that it follows the law and Chester will get her interpreter in February to review rent increases before her next court date in March.