Remuneration For A Raw Deal: Suffolk Tenants Get A Chance To Make A Fresh Start

Recently in the headlines was news about the blaze that claimed the homes of many of the rich and famous, including Suzanne Sommers. And the one thing that struck me, besides the fact that she’d lost all her belongings, is the notion of having no home and no place to call your own.

But, that was exactly also the realty for some Long Island Locals. In fact, just recently, sixteen months after being evicted from their (condemned) Fairwood Gardens apartment complex, without notice, the 47 former tenants have finally reached a settlement in their constitutional rights violation lawsuit brought against Islip Town.

However, the terms were not disclosed and were part of the agreement, in which the town remained unwilling to take responsibility for any wrongdoing.

The evacuation caused mush controversy and even faced “criticism” by town counsil members and all because it spontaneously resulted in the mass eviction of over 100 residents back in September of 2005. And, the recently resolved lawsuit was one of three federal suits brought against the town.

According to officials, the town condemned the property upon citing it for 57 health and safety violation, and labeling it as structurally unsound, a claim that was never proved.

However, the former owner of the apartment complex “did” pleas “guilty” to code and safety violations related to the case last year.