Tenants of an adult group home, their families, housing activists, realtors and Ulster County officials all said they have never dealt with a crisis like the one unfolding at the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue in Kingston.

Earlier this week, the remaining residents of Chiz’s Heart Street were told by a realtor — in person and through letters — that they must vacate their units before Friday, when the building “will be secured and shut.”

That news put local housing activists in overdrive to find new homes for the approximately 12 tenants of the now-defunct facility for adults with serious disabilities such as schizophrenia.

What You Need To Know

  • Earlier this week, the remaining residents of Chiz’s Heart Street were told by a realtor — in person and through letters — they must vacate their units before Friday

  • Activists spent several hours this week meeting with residents, re-enforcing that they do not have to move yet

  • County Executive Pat Ryan called the realtor’s actions “misleading,” and asked residents to give the county “another chance to do right by you”

The activists spent several extra hours this week meeting with residents, re-enforcing that though property’s managers and realtors said the residents must move out by week’s end, they, in fact, do not have to move until September 1, when the state’s eviction moratorium is expected to end. 

“We’re all in the same boat,” tenant “Norma” said Tuesday during an informational dinner held by the activists in the crumbling home’s dining hall.

Norma said she was “shaken up” to receive a written notice informing her of the arbitrary deadline, but felt relieved after being informed of her rights under state tenant protection laws and the eviction moratorium, which afford her more time to move.

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office presides over evictions, said Wednesday the property owners have not filed any eviction documents and his deputies have no plans to remove any residents this weekend.

“They’re showing us the facts, showing us how long it’s really going to take,” Norma said from behind her decorated, personalized walker with a basket in front. “These people who are reaching back out to us — very helpful.”

Property owners, Stockade Group, LLC informed residents and now-former property manager Sharon Chisholm in March that the four interconnected houses that make up the group home were in contract to be sold and would no longer be a facility for disabled adults.

Property realtor Nan Potter said early Wednesday the owners have been working closely with county social workers since April to find new homes for all the tenants.

About 50 tenants have already been placed, Potter said, adding that some of them were moved out of the state.

During a survey at Tuesday’s informational dinner, all remaining tenants requested that their new homes be located in Kingston, close to bus routes and the services they need.

Some tenants said they had not yet been visited by county social workers to explain future housing options, though Potter said all tenants have been offered new accommodations multiple times.

Activists, tenants and tenants’ families have said the county’s response to the crisis is sluggish, organization is lacking and they fear some tenants may end up homeless because of the crisis.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” Real Kingston Tenants Union organizer Rashida Tyler said of the county’s handling of the crisis. “Nobody is following up. These are our most vulnerable people in Ulster County, and this is what’s happening to them? It’s a damn shame. It’s a damn shame. That’s all I have to say. I’m just pissed off. I’m sorry.”

Later on Wednesday, Potter said the owners still plan to shut the property to outsiders Friday, but may make temporary accommodations for longtime residents who do not have new homes lined up.

The activists said they will be monitoring the property Thursday and Friday, and are prepared to stand between the residents and anyone who might try to force them out.

As Spectrum News 1 was about to air a video report Wednesday, County Executive Pat Ryan hastily organized a press conference in front of the group home. He answered a few questions from reporters, and then went inside. It was his first visit to the facility.

Ryan, Figueroa and a team of social workers gathered with residents in the dining hall, informed residents they have a few more weeks to find homes and began individual meetings with each of the remaining tenants.

The social workers promised to help, but warned the next few months may be difficult, as few homes are available.

It is likely some tenants will have to move multiple times over the coming months. The first relocation could be to “anything from a boarding house to a motel,” one social worker said.

Ryan seemed apologetic at times, repeatedly asking the tenants for “another chance” to solve the crisis.

“We’re asking for you to give us one more chance,” Ryan said. “One more chance to earn your trust…one more chance to step up and do right by you.”