For years, residents at Bliss Towers in Hudson have said living conditions were repulsive.

Mary Decker has been a life-long resident of the affordable housing facility and describes a similar scene.  

"The elevators were really bad. People used to pee in them, poop in them. We kept saying 'Can we please have somebody mop them?' And nothing was ever done," said Decker.

She now raises her two daughters there and has concerns for their safety.

"I want my kids to be safe," said Decker.

She explained how for years the complaints from people who lived there fell upon deaf ears. It wasn't until a change of management in 2017, and the involvement of both local and national leaders, that changes were finally made.

Timothy Mattice took over as executive director and said his top priority was to tackle concerns. 

"We really had to change the culture of the building and start building a community. There were a lot of improvements that had to be made," said Mattice.

A year and $300,000 in HUD grants later, renovations were completed.

On Thursday, the leaders who made the changes happen were able to see the outcome. The money was used towards community areas and a resource room.

Congressman John Faso said he was amazed at the changes.

"I've really seen a lot of improvement and I think that really encourages everyone. It improves their morale. It improves their sense of community. It says, 'This is a place our kids can live, grow up and be safe,'" said Faso.

The inside of the apartments were also upgraded — Decker's included. She decided to bcome a boardmember for the towers after being influenced to become a voice for residents just like her.

"It's better now than it was 15-20 years ago. I lived here all my life and it's come a long way," said Decker.

The changes could keep coming in Hudson. Management hopes federal funding will allow them to break ground on a new $30 million affordable housing facility next June.