‘Don't know if I have a place to go': Danforth & Hudson-Ridge residents being evicted after program termination

Yahoo

22-05-2025

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Housing services for multiple residents in the Danforth and Hudson-Ridge Towers are being terminated, which is reportedly leading to evictions.
The Rochester Housing Authority released a statement saying this was due to the termination of the Enriched Housing Program services to residents living there. They clarified that they are not evicting residents, but the New York State Department of Health is coordinating this action.
The program is offered by Family Service Communities. According to its website, they offer enriched housing for seniors for residents in Fairport, Penfield, and the City of Rochester — including Danforth Towers and Hudson-Ridge Apartments.
According to RHA, the services will be terminated for Danforth and Hudson-Ridge residents starting next Wednesday, May 28.
Gwen Kendig told News 8's Isabel Garcia she's been living at her apartment there under the 'Enriched Housing Program' through Family Services of Rochester for the past seven years.
After an unexpected meeting last week, no paperwork, notice, or emails, residents were told the program would be totally shut down by Friday, May 28, without much reason as to why.
'It's a horrible feeling to be kicked out of a place that you lived in for a while. And not be able to find a place to go. It really is,' Kendig said. 'I've done nothing but cry. It's horrible, it's a horrible feeling to know, especially being an elderly person that all of the sudden… I've lost a lot of stuff already. We had to throw a lot of stuff away, we had to give a lot of my stuff away, and I don't even know if I have a place to go to. And they don't care, they just don't care and I'm not the only person in this situation, we all are here.'
News 8 spoke with Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, who said the county and other officials were told about the issue, and that there was enough capacity in other housing units and programs to relocate people. Now, Bello says he heard today that it may not be the case.
'We're going to try to help these individuals because the stories I'm hearing right now, this is completely unacceptable, the communication that was given to them,' Bello said. 'These are individuals that are being given a very short period of time where they're told they have to leave. And what should have happened if that was the case is that where they were being moved to should have been identified before they were told that they had to be relocated to another housing unit.'
Family Housing Communities says on its website that it has been working with the Rochester Housing Authority for over 30 years 'to provide supportive, comfortable, and affordable housing to senior citizens across the Rochester NY area.'
News 8 reached out to the New York State Department of Health and Family Service Communities, they provided the following statement:
In our role as regulator, holding operators accountable for the quality of care they provide remains a top priority for the New York State Department of Health. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of the impacted residents at these two Enriched Housing Programs.
Recent surveys of the Hudson Ridge and Danforth Towers Enriched Housing Programs identified violations that posed immediate risks to resident health and safety. As a result of these findings and because the operator agreed it lacked the resources to correct the identified violations, the operator initiated an expeditious emergency closure of the Enriched Housing Programs and the transfer of residents to appropriate placements that could serve their needs.
This action in no way impedes the residents' right to transition to the setting of their choice. Department of Health staff have been and will continue to be onsite at both facilities throughout the closure process to ensure safe and appropriate transfers and that residents receive appropriate care during the transition. Residents have and will continue to have the right to choose their homes.
We cannot comment on the financial status of Family Services of Rochester.
Statement from the New York State Department from Health
Rochester City Council members, including President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr., Vice-President LaShay D. Harris, and Michael A. Patterson, Chair of the Neighborhoods Jobs and Housing Committee, released a statement regarding the news of Danforth Towers — saying they are 'deeply concerned.'
We are deeply concerned by reports that residents of Danforth Towers and Hudson Ridge Towers have been instructed to vacate their homes by this Friday. Our top priority is the well-being and stability of our constituents, especially our most vulnerable neighbors who depend on the services provided through the Enriched Housing Program. We are actively working with all stakeholders—including the Rochester Housing Authority, the New York State Department of Health, and Family Services—to identify immediate solutions and establish long-term safeguards to prevent future disruptions.
We want to clearly reassure all residents in the Enriched Housing Program at Hudson Ridge and Danforth, as well as renters throughout Rochester, that no one can be forced to leave their home without going through the proper legal eviction process in court. At this time, no eviction proceedings have been filed by the Rochester Housing Authority, and RHA has made clear it is not seeking to evict any impacted residents. We strongly advise residents not to vacate their apartments and to seek legal guidance if they have concerns about their housing status. Our offices remain available to provide support and ensure every resident is treated with fairness and dignity.
Statement from members of Rochester City Council
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