Tenants of vacated building meet with city agencies

BRONX (WABC) -- 46-year-old Mike Staton lives out of boxes and containers. His life was turned upside down when his building was abruptly vacated.

Hundreds of renters at 2400 Webb Ave. in the Bronx were ordered out of their apartments last week after the fire department learned there were no fire escapes anymore.

Eyewitness News is told that Goldfarb Properties removed all the lifelines - turning a 7-story rent stabilized building filled with families into a potential deal trap.

On Tuesday, residents met with various city agencies to ask questions and to vent.

As if being displaced wasn't bad enough, tenants got another surprise blow when they went to pick up their relocation stipend.

Last week they were promised $840 per week for temporary housing. Today they found out Goldfarb is deducting their June rent, meaning these folks will still have to pay rent for an apt they can't use.

City officials explain the landlord applied for, but never received permission to tear down the fire escapes. Now, residents are left to pay dearly for the violation.

It will likely be months before they're allowed back home.

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