Permanent housing problems persist for former Twin Parks tenants

Since the Jan. 9 fire, multiple families have been living at a local hotel. The city has extended their stay until March 7. The families say it’s only a temporary solution and need permanent housing.

News 12 Staff

Feb 8, 2022, 12:32 AM

Updated 1,040 days ago

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Wednesday marks one month since the high-rise fire in the Bronx that killed 17 people. Families displaced by the incident say they are still struggling to pick up the pieces.
News 12 learned on Monday that a lawsuit is expected to be filed on behalf of the families on Tuesday.
Since the Jan. 9 fire, multiple families have been living at a local hotel. The city has extended their stay until March 7. The families say it’s only a temporary solution and need permanent housing.
Some who have emergency housing vouchers told News 12 they're being given one location for permanent housing. Some say they've been forced to downsize.
Vercie Pope works for a state agency and Vanessa Cunningham is a city employee. Both say they don't qualify for some of the assistance they claim was promised to everyone.
“No one is helping us working class. We don't know where to go, what to do – they keep holding that we have income over our heads,” says Pope. “One case worker told me pay for it yourself, pay out of pocket for everything. I don't think I have to pay for anything because I did not start this fire.”
Other residents say they haven't been able to take a break from the stress of being displaced since the deadly fire broke out nearly a month ago.
News 12 reached out to the Bronx Borough President's Office for comments on tenants’ concerns and said in a statement, "Following the Jan. 9 fire at Twin Parks Northwest Apartments, we know that many residents were unable and do not wish to return to their apartments for different reasons, and placing them in permanent housing is of high priority to us. The Office of The Bronx Borough President has and continues to strongly advocate for each individual, by working closely with representatives at all levels of government, as well as CVR, building management and BronxWorks on these cases. We are supporting families on a case-by-case basis to ensure vouchers are carried over adequately and ensuring that families that do not have vouchers are also supported through this process. Our commitment to fulfilling the long-term needs of each resident remains, and we are working around the clock until each impacted resident is permanently placed in safe and quality housing.”