Erie Independence House management is reassuring residents that they will not lose their homes as the organization works through financial problems that have placed three of its properties on the list for the Erie County upset tax sale.
For the first time, Executive Director Timothy Finegan sent a memo directly to residents of the three properties, addressing concerns about the future of their housing.
The properties on West 5th Street, West 2nd Street and McClelland Avenue provide accessible housing for about 40 people with disabilities. They are currently scheduled to be offered at the Erie County upset tax sale on Sept. 28.
Erie News Now has reported on the financial difficulties facing Erie Independence House, including unpaid bills, taxes, vendors and employees. Those problems have left residents concerned about what could happen if the facilities are forced to close or are sold.
In his memo, Finegan acknowledged the stress and uncertainty residents have experienced.
“I know the past few years have been difficult, and many of you have felt significant stress and uncertainty about the status of your apartments,” Finegan wrote.
He told residents that their housing is secure and said the organization is taking steps to maintain long-term housing stability.
“Erie Independence House is taking concrete steps to ensure lasting housing stability for every resident,” Finegan wrote.
One possibility, according to Finegan, is a transition to new management that has the capacity to provide the long-term support needed to maintain the homes.
He said any transition would be handled carefully to minimize disruption to residents’ daily lives.
Finegan ended the memo with a direct reassurance:
“You will not lose your housing.”
But resident Laura Van Volkenburg said the memo does little to ease her concerns because it does not provide specific details about how that promise will be carried out.
“Honestly, not good,” Van Volkenburg said of how she feels about the letter. “It’s so vague that it’s pointless. He doesn’t lay out a plan, he just says that we’re not going to lose our homes.”
Van Volkenburg said she wants to see a concrete plan rather than assurances alone.
“You can say that all day long, but unless you have a plan in place,” she said. “We get more information out of our maintenance guy about what’s going on than him.”
Van Volkenburg’s comments reflect the uncertainty residents continue to face as the three properties remain on the Erie County upset tax sale list.
Finegan said Erie Independence House will continue to provide residents with updates as more information becomes available.