Seniors Risk Eviction as Rent Takes More Than Half of Income, Watchdogs Say
(DNAINFO) Dartunorro Clark and Amy Zimmer | December 14, 2016 — Seniors are at particularly high risk as rents soar, experts say.
Sybil Ward received an eviction notice the Friday after Thanksgiving.
It ordered she leave Esplanade Gardens, the affordable housing co-op on Adam Clayton Powell she’s called home for nearly 50 years, for chronic nonpayment of rent.
Many in the Mitchell-Lama complex are sympathetic to the long-time resident, who has been in and out of the job market and has been active in helping the community.
They worry that she is one of many city seniors in precarious housing and financial situations — prompting neighbors to start an online fundraising campaign, hoping to raise $7,000 to help Ward cover legal fees.
“Why would you want to make a person homeless?” asked Ward, a 67-year-old law library assistant who has received help from Adult Protective Services on her case.