The "bones" of the Olbiston Apartments aren't hard to find after years of reported water damage and other issues.

It's been on the radar for Utica leaders for years, and for years they've been in litigation with the building's owner.

But in the midst of the fight are about 60 people who have called the Olbiston their home.

On Thursday, Pamela Putney and Isaac Foster attended a press conference with Citizen Action of New York.

They say the building's condition was better several years ago.

"I liked it," Putney said. "It wasn't too bad. I mean, I know there's talk about it and stuff like that, people like, 'Oh you don't want to live there.' I said, 'Look, I've lived in apartments all my life. I came from New York and stuff.' It was enough room, one bedroom, and it was good and stuff like that."

She's lived at the Olbiston for about 25 years. She says her apartment had a leak at one point, but it was fixed. She says she tried to find another place to live, but it wasn't a simple task.

"I could find some stuff, but it was in like a different area than Utica, and I take the bus, so I couldn't go to Yorkville or Oriskany or even Rome, or something like that," she said. "All my people are here, my doctors and a few friends and stuff like that."

Now, Putney and other tenants are starting over in a way as city officials say the building's conditions have deteriorated to the point of it being unlivable.

Images of the hallways show peeling walls, ceiling damage and other issues that concern city leaders.

However, for some of the people who live there, those images don't define the Olbiston.

"If you live filthy, what do you think your apartment is gonna look like? It's gonna look filthy. If you live clean, your apartment looks clean. It's what you make it. Is it the most glamorous building? Did I have the most glamorous apartment in the world? No, but it was home to me," Foster said.

Putney and Foster say they're not staying at the Olbiston anymore, but still have belongings inside.

A partnership between the city and the Utica Center for Development have raised $25,000 to help tenants move. The Utica Center for Development is also donating furniture, appliances, transportation and other resources to help Olbiston tenants.

In the meantime, Citizen Action of New York is urging Utica leaders to pass a bill granting more protections for tenants.

"We know that housing is a human right, but healthy homes are a human right. Period. End of story," Citizen Action of CNY organizer Chelsea Arcuri said.

Olbiston Apartments did not immediately return a request for comment.