A senior citizen from Throgs Neck claims that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is treating her like a prisoner in her own apartment.

Patrice Sneed has been living in her home for 45 years, but became disabled in 2011 and needed a scooter to get around.

She says getting into and out of her apartment is difficult because there are three big steps leading up to her front door.

"I feel like I am held captive in my apartment because I cannot leave it when I need to leave it or when I want to leave it," Sneed says.

She says she relies on neighbors to help her lift the scooter up and down the stairs, but says they're not always around and even when they are the scooter is so heavy some people can't lift it.

When Sneed applied to be relocated to a more accessible apartment she says NYCHA told her that her application was filed incorrectly.

She says that was years ago and is asking NYCHA for help.

"Stop neglecting the tenants," Sneed says. "We are paying rent. We are due a nice and secure living environment."

NYCHA told News 12 they have been working with Sneed, but the building she requested to move into would not meet her accessibility needs.

The agency says they will continue working with her to find a suitable apartment.