Tenants of Buffalo’s development at 201 Ellicott speak on poor living conditions

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Complaints of poor living conditions at 201 Ellicott St., an affordable housing development in downtown Buffalo, has tenants contacting Call 4 Action saying that the property management group is putting profits over people.

Several years ago, the development was a big part of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s economic agenda, with the Braymiller Market being nearby. It’s also part of the state’s five-year affordable housing plan. The state put millions of dollars into the project.

Now tenants say theft and property damage have been issues there. They also say they haven’t been given rent receipts, the ceiling on the ground floor collapsed and there’s water damage in the building, adding that there have been bogus fees for repairs.

“Its been a range of things to misconduct from management, including double charging for rent telling people they owe things for when they’ve already paid,” said Harper Arida of Queen City Workers Center.

Tenant rights advocates say one tenant was kicked out for having a service dog that was too large.

In response to these complaints, the property management company in charge of 201 Ellicott St., Corvus Property Intelligence, says they follow all local, state and federal laws to make sure residents are treated fairly and that evictions are carried out to maintain the standard of living there.

Read the full statement below:

At Corvus Property Intelligence, our commitment is to provide a safe, respectful, and fair living environment for all our residents. We strictly adhere to all local laws, housing guidelines, and regulations, ensuring that every resident is treated with fairness and equality.

We deeply value open communication and respect the concerns of all our residents. In instances where residents have violated the terms of their lease agreements, such as failing to meet rent obligations, we are required to take appropriate action, which may include the imposition of fees or, in extreme cases, eviction. These actions are never taken lightly, but they are necessary to uphold the standards of the community and protect the interests of all our residents.

Fees that are applied to residents are clearly outlined in our leases and follow transparent, legally compliant processes. Our goal is to foster a community where every tenant feels heard, respected, and safe. We encourage any residents with concerns to reach out to our management team and/or corporate office directly to ensure their issues are addressed properly and fairly.

Tenants at the development are demanding new management and are discussing the possibility of taking legal action.

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here .