Seniors Say Conditions Deteriorating At Prospect Park Residence

Months since senior citizens were first given an eviction notice from the Prospect Park Residence, they gathered with their families and elected officials on Saturday to protest what they’re calling deplorable living conditions in the space.

The 122 seniors at the residence, which is an assisted living facility located at 1 Prospect Park West, were told in March that they had 90 days to vacate, and the NYS Department of Health, which oversees the building, granted building owner Haysha Deitsch’s closure application with no notice to residents or their families.

Since then, seniors at the residence have won a stay on evictions, and the owner has been ordered by a judge to maintain services and conditions in the building while the case is in court — which the seniors say has not been happening, and in fact has been getting worse in the past week. They’re calling it an intimidation tactic to get them out, so the owner can convert the building to condos.

“The Department of Health should be responsible for protecting our elderly loved ones,” said Joyce Singer, daughter of Alice Singer, one of the seniors who lives in the building, in a statement. “My mother is being evicted because of evil and greed.”

The seniors’ lawyers from the pro bono firm of Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto outlined several of the violations in the building, including dimmed hallway lighting, a lack of security at the front desk, spoiled food being served, and more. Additionally, residents and aides complain that when the DOH inspectors have repeatedly visited the building, they are accompanied by the Prospect Park Residence administrator, making them afraid to voice their concerns for fear of repercussions from PPR.

The seniors gathered with protesters including Councilmember Brad Lander, Public Advocate Letitia James, and NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer to call for intervention from Governor Cuomo and DOH to protect the health and safety of residents in the building, as required by law.

“I am appalled that the Governor and the NYS Department of Health have failed to protect our seniors from exploitation and abuse,” said Lander in a statement. “We have long known that the owner of Prospect Park Residence is morally bankrupt, and values his own profit over the health and safety of these frail elderly residents – but it’s up to Governor Cuomo and the state Department of Health to take action and stand up for what’s right.”

Advocates for the seniors are calling for supporters to fill the courtroom during the next court date, a contempt hearing which is part of their case against Haysha Deitsch and the New York State Department of Health, on November 12 at 9am at 360 Adams Street.

Photo via Councilmember Lander