New protections and compensation have been secured for dozens of tenants displaced from an affordable housing complex in Rochester after an investigation by the Office of the New York State Attorney General.
The action, announced by Letitia James, ensures that families who were forced out of their homes during redevelopment of the Los Flamboyanes complex will receive additional financial assistance and clearer communication about their right to return once construction is complete.
The affected residents were living in the Los Flamboyanes townhomes in Rochester when they were required to vacate their units in 2025 as part of a demolition and redevelopment project overseen by Landsman Real Estate Services, Inc. and Landsman Development Corp..
Settlement Ensures Tenant Compensation and Right to Return
State investigators found that tenants were not properly informed about their rights during the relocation process. Under federal and state housing laws, residents displaced by redevelopment of subsidized housing must be notified of their right to return once construction is completed and must receive relocation assistance.
“No one should be forced out of their home and denied the necessary resources to find a safe and affordable place to live,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s agreement puts money back in the pockets of Los Flamboyanes tenants who were misinformed of their rights and denied full relocation payments. My office will always stand up for tenants’ rights and ensure Los Flamboyanes residents can return to their homes.”
Under the settlement, tenants will be notified of their right to return to the newly rebuilt housing complex once construction is expected to finish in April 2027. The agreement also provides additional compensation to help cover relocation costs incurred during the redevelopment period.
The attorney general’s office said the settlement also guarantees protections against eviction and utility shutoffs for displaced tenants while they remain in temporary housing.
Investigation Revealed Relocation Payment Issues
The redevelopment process began in 2024 when Landsman notified tenants that they could be displaced due to planned renovations. Later that year, residents received a 90-day notice requiring them to vacate their homes by March 31, 2025.
However, the attorney general’s investigation found that the notices failed to fully explain tenant rights. Officials also determined that relocation payments provided by the landlord were insufficient to cover the true cost of housing and utilities while residents waited for reconstruction to be completed.
Initially, tenants were offered lump-sum relocation payments capped at $9,570. The attorney general’s office said that amount did not meet legal requirements to cover increased rent, utilities and other relocation expenses.
In April 2025, state officials secured a settlement requiring Landsman to provide more than $271,000 in additional Replacement Housing Payments to tenants whose housing costs exceeded the initial payments.
However, further investigation revealed the company had not fully complied with the agreement, prompting the attorney general’s office to conduct its own survey of tenants.
The survey found many residents had paid significantly higher housing and utility costs after relocating. Some tenants were spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, putting them at risk of eviction.
Poor Housing Conditions Added to Tenant Hardships
Residents also described difficult living conditions before leaving the Los Flamboyanes complex.
According to tenants who spoke with investigators, some units had serious pest issues including cockroaches, mice and bedbugs. These conditions forced residents to decide whether to save relocation payments for rent or spend money replacing furniture and household items affected by infestations.
Officials said the latest settlement addresses these challenges by requiring additional payments to tenants and ensuring improved communication throughout the redevelopment process.
Tenants will also receive an additional $300 to cover one-time relocation expenses such as rental application fees and utility reconnection charges.
Oversight to Ensure Compliance
As part of the agreement, the attorney general’s office will monitor communications between Landsman and tenants to ensure that residents receive updates about construction progress and their right to return to the rebuilt homes.
The case is part of the Rochester Community Partnership initiative led by the attorney general’s office, which focuses on protecting vulnerable tenants and strengthening enforcement of housing laws across the state.
State officials said the action reflects broader efforts to safeguard affordable housing and prevent illegal displacement of low-income residents during redevelopment projects.
Originally reported by New York State Attorney General.
