The judge who rejected a proposed plan to impose a federal monitor to handle NYCHA’s many problems Thursday gave a thumbs up to a much narrower plan that focuses only on one persistent issue – toxic mold.

Four years after promising but failing to clean up festering mold in its apartments, NYCHA Friday agreed to the appointment of an independent ombudsman who can penalize the authority for future failures.

Sit back for a moment and imagine not being able to breathe in your own home. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air or, worse, hearing your child, at any hour, wheezing, coughing, unable to fill her lungs. Imagine medications and breathing machines, emergency room visits, hospitalizations—all stemming from a menace in your own home that no one is willing to address.

Six-year old Amanda, who lives in Brownsville, New York and 12-year old Melissa, who lives in East Harlem, New York are struggling with the disease. Their parents, who are desperately trying to alleviate their suffering, and are about to make a devastating discovery.