‘We need to get him out.’ Senior fears homelessness as winter nears
Michael Moore is the only remaining resident of a three-story building on Lexington Avenue that he says has fallen into severe disrepair over the past decade.
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A 71-year-old man is facing homelessness, despite having a city-issued housing voucher.
Michael Moore is the only remaining resident of a three-story building on Lexington Avenue that he says has fallen into severe disrepair over the past decade.
Parts of the apartment has no electricity, his refrigerator no longer works and a section of his kitchen wall collapsed, leaving a gaping hole.
Moore said he spent winters with no heat at all.
“Last winter, I had no heat until the end of January,” Moore said. “It was brutal."
A neighbor, Regan Good, who lives a few doors away, has been helping Moore set an updated ID and connect with Adult Protective Services.
With her assistance, Moore obtained a $2,700 CityFHEPS housing voucher.
However, the two say they have struggled to find a landlord willing to accept it, and have been rejected and faced at least one attempted scam during the process.
“Nobody fixes it. Nobody steps in. Nobody takes responsibility,” Good said. “We need to get him out of here. This is just substandard living. I think it’s dangerous.”
They also attempted to request a housing specialist through the city, but say they were told it’s difficult to get one if he’s not in a homeless shelter.
According to city data, the number of homeless New Yorkers age 65 and older rose more than 300% between 2004 and 2017. The same study suggests that the same senior homeless population could triple by 2030 if nothing is done.
With colder weather approaching, Moore and his neighbor say they are desperately looking for a safe place he can call home, and are hoping someone will step up.
Anyone with a potential apartment is urged to call 972-676-9925.
