EXCLUSIVE: Queens tenants fight religious group trying to evict them and turn building into homeless

[Heddi]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-tenants-fight-religious-group-evict-article-1.2975138

EXCLUSIVE: Queens tenants fight religious group trying to evict them and turn building into homeless shelter

Queens tenants say they plan to file a lawsuit Friday against a nonprofit Christian ministry that wants to kick them to the curb and convert their building into a homeless shelter.

Legal Aid Society lawyers are expected to join several residents outside the 39-unit Astoria building Friday to announce the suit against the New York School of Urban Ministry. The lawsuit seeks to keep the tenants from being evicted and to have the building rent-stabilized. The organization has avoided rent controls by claiming it uses the site for charitable purposes.

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The evangelical ministry school founded in 1984 tried to toss tenants out of the dormitory-style complex during the holiday season.
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City officials reiterated Friday they were approached about using the building as a homeless shelter but backed away when they realized there were long-term tenants.

“We’re absolutely, positively not using this location," a spokesman for the Department of Homeless Services said in a statement Friday.
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A lawyer representing the ministry and DeArruda, who lives in a $600,000 home in Whitestone, said he had yet to see the suit.

[Panich52]

1. Sounds like slum lord tactic to up rent

Religious groups may have solely charitable intent, but I can't believe there aren't other more suitable buildings

[Lordquinton]

2. Working hard to make a show of helping people

While excusing the harm they deliver to others. I wish i could say i was surprised.