New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced new protections for 25 low-income families in Rochester who were forced to leave their affordable housing in March 2025. The townhouses, part of the Los Flamboyanes complex, were undergoing a demolition and redevelopment project managed by Landsman Real Estate Services, Inc. and Landsman Development Corp. According to the Attorney General’s office, Landsman failed to inform tenants about their right to return to the newly built homes and did not provide sufficient relocation payments, including utility bills coverage, which would have offered financial protection against eviction during the reconstruction period.
“Nobody should be forced out of their home or deprived of the resources needed to find a safe and affordable place to live,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s agreement returns money to the tenants of Los Flamboyanes, who were misinformed about their rights and denied full relocation payments. My office will always defend tenants’ rights and ensure that residents of Los Flamboyanes can return to their homes.”
Landsman first notified Los Flamboyanes tenants in April 2024 that they could be evicted due to renovation plans. In December 2024, a 90-day notice was given requiring remaining townhouse occupants to vacate by March 31, 2025. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found these notices violated state law because they did not fully or accurately inform tenants of their rights and did not provide adequate relocation payments. Landsman was legally required to cover moving costs—including increased rent and utilities—until construction was completed but instead told eligible tenants they would receive a one-time payment capped at $9,570.
In April 2025, OAG reached an agreement with Landsman for more than $271,000 in additional Replacement Housing Payments (RHP) for tenants whose housing and utility costs during construction exceeded Landsman’s lump-sum payments. The agreement also required Landsman to survey tenants and pay extra moving costs such as application fees and utility installation expenses. A later OAG investigation found that Landsman had not fulfilled these obligations, prompting OAG to conduct its own survey among Los Flamboyanes residents. Many reported relocation and utility expenses not covered by initial payments.
Some tenants ended up paying over 30% of their income on rent and utilities; several fell behind on rent and faced possible eviction. Tenants told OAG that poor conditions in Los Flamboyanes townhouses—including pest problems like cockroaches, mice, and bedbug infestations—forced them to choose between saving funds for future rent/utilities or using them for new pest-free furniture and appliances.
Attorney General James secured a second agreement with Landsman ensuring all eligible Los Flamboyanes tenants receive additional compensation from Landsman and are informed about their right to return after construction is complete—estimated for April 2027. The agreement protects tenants from eviction or loss of utilities while living in temporary housing. They are also entitled to up to $300 more for application fees or utility reconnection charges related to moving. The Attorney General’s office will monitor all communication between Landsman and residents so everyone is accounted for and kept updated about construction timelines as required by law.
This action is part of ongoing efforts by Attorney General James aimed at protecting vulnerable renters across New York State. In February 2026, she sued property owners in Orange County over poor living conditions; in October 2025 she stopped companies in Montgomery County from illegally discriminating against low-income New Yorkers; in April 2025 she reached an agreement with Capital Region landlords accused of denying housing vouchers; in August 2024 Shamco Management Corp paid $400,000 after denying opportunities for low-income New York City renters; in February 2024 an agreement was announced with broker Pasquale Marciano over illegal practices affecting low-income renters.
The initiative is part of the Rochester Community Partnership led by Jane Landry-Reyes (Assistant Attorney General – Housing Protection Unit), under Brent Meltzer’s supervision (Unit Chief). Francisca Montana manages community engagement efforts within this partnership while Meghan Faux leads both the Housing Protection Unit/Rochester Community Partnership as First Deputy AG for Social Justice Division. Amaris Elliott-Engel (Assistant AG – Rochester Regional Office) handles local matters under Ted O’Brien’s supervision (Regional Bureau Chief). Jill Faber oversees regional operations statewide as Principal Deputy AG for Regional Affairs under Jennifer Levy’s direction.
The official website notes that the New York Attorney General promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement and consumer advocacy while operating as a public law enforcement agency across regional offices statewide addressing tenant disputes among other services.
