BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Construction is well underway on the Shoreline Apartments along Niagara Street in Buffalo, where developers are tearing down old units and building brand new ones, forcing residents out of their homes.

In March, they were told they had until Nov. 1 to vacate. Two months later, Norstar, the company that's owned the properly since 2005, was told by the state they could not move forward with the next phase of construction until a relocation plan was put in place.

"Then the office, on the sly, began intimidating Hispanic families, the elderly, and all non-English speaking tenants, including Polish immigrants, by telling them they had to be out by Nov. 31 and they better hurry and the longer they waited the worse it would be," said John Schmidt, a tenant.

Buffalo Common Council Member Dave Franczyk says he recently spoke with representatives from Norstar.

"I said, 'are you forcing anyone out?' And he said, no, and he said we aren't doing that. I mean, that's just what he says so there seems to be a disconnect in finding what the truth is," said Franczyk, D-Fillmore District. 

In a statement, the state's Housing and Community Renewal Agency said Norstar is required to consult a 3rd-party relocation firm and a revised draft version of the temporary relocation plan is under review. It also said Norstar will be required to hire an independent agency to implement the relocation.

But Schmidt believes Norstar is keeping the plan under raps to scare tenants into moving.

"Not letting us know creates an environment of fear and anxiety which is simply a scare tactic to try to drive people out when they don't have to go," said Schmidt.

Schmidt wrote a letter to Common Council two weeks ago urging the city to put pressure on the state to release the relocation plan.

"We would like the plan to be made available to the Common Council and the public for examination, for period of comment and discussion," said Schmidt. 

"If I can get that plan, I will, and any plan I have is to me is public information, I'll give it to the residents first and the Common Council. I'll file it if I get it and I'll ask for it and everyone should be privy to it," said Franczyk. 

We reached out to Norstar for further comment, and have yet to hear back.