Families in Buffalo are regularly living in housing that is not fit for human habitation. In this lawsuit, tenants describe living with leaking roofs, collapsing ceilings, mold, broken windows, rotting floors, and exterior doors that do not lock. Their children and grandchildren have lead poisoning, asthma, persistent headaches and nosebleeds, and more. Their family and mental health is severely suffering. Their apartments are all subject to the PRI law, and they would not be living in these harmful conditions if the law was implemented. Moreover, the City’s failure to enforce the PRI Law violates the rights of our most vulnerable residents to a clean and healthful environment as guaranteed by the New York State Constitution.

This lawsuit is brought by law firm Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford LLC, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, and the WNY Law Center. 

You can read our lawsuit document here. 

There are statements from PUSH, PPG, HOME, and CELJ.

You can also read statements from the individual plaintiffs, Dorothy Oatmeyer, Krystal Cruz, Denita Adams, and Victoria Ring. 

Additionally, there are statements from local experts:

• Honorable Eugene Fahey, Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals
• Melinda Cameron, MD, Retired, former Medical Director of the WNY Lead Poisoning Prevention Resource Center
• Myron L. Glick, MD, Founder and CEO of Jericho Road Community Health Center
• Grace Andriette, Senior Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit at Neighborhood Legal Services

All court documents associated with this case can be accessed here. 

**ALL MEDIA REQUESTS should be directed to Shannon Holforth at sholfoth@gmail.com  and 716-913-5071 rather than individual or organizational plaintiffs.**