23-05-2025
Group behind Danforth, Hudson Ridge ‘crisis' releases statement
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Well after dozens of vulnerable seniors living at Danforth and Hudson Ridge towers in Rochester say they were told they had to move out by Saturday, the group that had cared for them remained silent, until Friday.
Family Service of Rochester, which also goes by Family Service Communities, released a statement to News 8 Friday offering a brief summary of what was happening, but did not explain why or respond to allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement.
The statement confirms much of the State Department of Health, or DOH, has already reported, including the end of a program (Enriched Housing Program, or EHP) that placed around 100 senior citizens in Danforth and Hudson Ridge apartment towers and provided services for them.
Family Service of Rochester went on to say, 'The programs are being closed to ensure the continued health and safety of the resident participants. Residents in the programs are receiving assistance from both the Department of Health and Family Service in finding appropriate/safe alternative housing and health services. We appreciate the strong and dedicated work of the staff at both programs during this time.'
Earlier this week, the program's closure had many residents under the impression they were being evicted and could be out on the street this weekend.
Thursday, Rochester Housing Authority, which operates the two towers but does not care for the residents under EHP, stated there was no eviction, but DOH was relocating some of those affected while others were invited to stay and live in the towers under a different program.
DOH says the program closure was prompted by a review that found several problems with how Family Services was running it.
Specifically, DOH found Family Service of Rochester, which is based in Fairport, accepted people who needed more services than EHP could provide, lacked of supervision, provided poor record keeping, did not monitor narcotics, failed to offer proper nutrition, and did not adhere to medication protocol.
DOH went on to say Family Service of Rochester did not have the resources to address the violations and 'voluntarily surrendered their licenses and opted to close the programs,' emphasizing the decision was made by Family Service of Rochester and not the state, adding the process of moving residents required urgency because Family Service of Rochester's 'staffing was insufficient and funding was depleted.'
Meanwhile, RHA Executive Director Shawn Burr said Family Service failed to pay the rent owed to RHA – rent the tenants had already paid to Family Service.
Burr said he'd like to see an investigation and those responsible for any misconduct or mismanagement be held accountable.
In their statement Friday, Family Service of Rochester did not address the DOH findings or RHA accusations.
News 8 has called Family Service of Rochester several times.
Friday, the person who answered the phone said Neil Cavalieri, who is listed on the not-for-profit's website as the CEO, no longer works there.
Also, IRS filings show a bleak financial picture dating back to 2022.
It does not appear the City of Rochester nor Monroe County have any direct role in any of this, but both have involved themselves to try to fix the problem.
Rochester Housing Authority has encouraged anyone under EHP who was not relocated to stay in their home so they can be placed under a different program that will allow them to remain where they are.
Also, Legal Assistance of WNY has sent attorneys to both facilities to offer advice to shaken residents and their families.
'We're here to help the residents through challenging times that was not handled in a good way, pressuring people to move without much notice… we have people in tears about it and it should not have happened this way,' said Jeff Nieznanski, an attorney with Legal Assistance of WNY.
If you need to contact them, call (585) 325-2520.
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