The Cooper Square Committee has set up a GoFundMe campaign for the tenants displaced from 642 E. 14th St. by a vacate order after next-door construction compromised their building’s safety.
On Nov. 28, the 30 tenants were forced by the Department of Buildings to leave their homes after excavation work on a next-door 24-story tower project undermined their building’s foundation, causing structural cracks.
Per the GoFundMe: “[The developer] Madison Realty Capital has offered up to 10 apartments, all one-bedrooms, but at rents that most of these modest-income tenants cannot afford. Several households are families that need 2-bedroom apartments, which MRC says it can’t accommodate.
“With your help, the tenants can access housing they can afford while they temporarily relocate. We estimate it will cost about $95,000 to help the tenants cover the difference in rent at new apartments in NYC, and to cover the cost of food since they can’t cook in the shelter, and they have had to buy new clothes since they can’t access their apartments. They will need to buy furniture for their relocation apartments as well.”
Susan, from Apartment 6, pleaded, “Please help us — we are homeless, in shelters or staying on friends’ couches. Neither our landlord [Jack Lebewohl, owner of the 2nd Ave Deli] nor Madison Realty Capital have yet to offer affordable long-term housing.”
Funds raised will help the tenants with getting relocation housing until their building is repaired and they can return home, which is likely to be a lengthy process.
As of 9:30 p.m. Christmas evening, nearly $1,200 had been raised toward the goal of $95,000.
To contribute to the GoFundMe, click here.
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