Still waiting to get back into their apartments

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Residents of an East Haven apartment building say they are caught in a tug-of-war over damage to their building caused by superstorm Sandy, damage that has left them homeless.

Residents who live at 441 Coe Avenue have had to be out of their apartments since Sandy forced them to evacuate, after parts of the building's roof blew off, sending debris flying around and water leaking into the building.

"Feel so bad for people who didn't have any insurance," said Brad Whittaker, a resident for 10 years. "They're just out on street. I don't know what they're doing."

He says most of the tenants can't afford to live somewhere else. And he says no work has been done on the apartments since the storm so many are worried when they'll be able to move back home.

"I'm loaded with anxiety, big time," Whittaker said. "I'm unemployed so it's kind of hard for me to find another place so I got to wait this out. (pauses) It's not easy."

"Every day you call the office they say they're gonna start working today, they're gonna start working today, and every day nothing happens," says Bob Pellegrino, who has lived there for two years.

Residents say they are frustrated a big pile of debris remains around their apartment complex. But their biggest frustration is they can't get any answers from anyone regarding when they will be able to move back in their apartments.

"They keep saying 4-6 weeks, but they haven't started yet," Whittaker said.

The management company told News 8 they can't get to work until they hear back from their insurance company.

Stephan Gashi, Manager of Coe Realty LLC, asked residents to be patient and that it's up to the insurance company. He said they can't give a time frame for when residents will get back in, at least not until they hear back about their insurance claim.

"We're sorry that it happened but there's nothing we can do," Gashi said.