The New York City Housing Authority sent hundreds of its employees to the sprawling Red Hook Houses Tuesday, where two weeks after Sandy some residents continue to lack power, heat and hot water. The workers—many of whom usually staff office jobs at the authority but volunteered to be in the field—went door to door looking for tenants in need.

Some tenants needed prescriptions filled. Others badly wanted their heat back. On the first floor of one building, employee-volunteers found an elderly man with a fractured hip. An ambulance was called and he was taken to an area hospital. While some tenants were grateful to have someone checking on them others greeted the workers with anger and frustration.

"Of course, people are going to be a little bit upset because it's been two weeks," said Candace Lindsay, an employee-volunteer. 

Ramona Lloyd typically works in a department dedicated to educating tenants about global warming and saving energy. But Tuesday she volunteered to canvass more than 70 Red Hook apartments with a team that included a nurse. She said her group found two residents in need of medical help. 

"The nurse actually checked them out and we had to call 911 for [an ambulance] to come and take someone to the hospital who had very high blood pressure," Lloyd said.

The housing authority also brought in a disaster recovery company to disinfectant hallways and basements. Crews of workers could be seen throughout the complex, cleaning up. Dozens of residents also waited in the cold, drizzly weather for winter coats donated by the New York Giants football team.   

One tenant, Deborah Traore, said at least the coat would help her stay warm inside her chilly apartment. Another tenant, Victor Gonzalez, said what residents really need is heat. 

"Without no heat, it makes it like you're living in a cube of ice," Gonzalez said.  "That's not fair to us."

The housing authority says it expects heat will return by the end of the week.