Residents forced out of homes by Downtown fire now say they have to leave hotel

PITTSBURGH — Quincetta and Barbara Johnson are among the tenants looking for answers from the Roosevelt Apartments’ leasing company, after they say they’ve been told they cannot move back into their units.

They both live in the downtown apartment building, as did their mom, who died in the fire there on Dec. 11.

“We can’t just be out on the street. I just lost my mother,” said Quincetta Johnson.

The Roosevelt put up more than 30 displaced tenants, including the Johnson sisters, at a North Side hotel after the fire.

Previous coverage: 1 killed, 3 treated for injuries in downtown Pittsburgh high rise fire

The Johnsons say they’ve been told to get their mom’s belongings, and their own, out of the Roosevelt as soon as they can.

They say they’ve been told they have to find a new place to live by the end of the year.

“There’s no plan,” said Quincetta Johnson. “We just have to get our stuff and get out.”

“I might as well just go get a tent and put it up over there or something,” said her sister, Barbara. “That’s basically what [the property manager] told us.”

A group of at least 11 other residents tell 11 News they were just told Monday that they needed to be out of the hotel by 11 a.m. Tuesday.

A sign on the front of the apartment building says floors 5-14 are currently condemned and need to be repaired.

Several people who say they’re being forced out of the hotel lived on those floors and claim they can’t find anywhere else to go on such short notice.

“You just tell someone the day before, ‘We’re not paying for the hotel as of tomorrow and you have to get your stuff and get out.’ It’s pretty messed up,” said resident Joshua Taylor.

Tenants say they’re not getting clear directions or definitive answers from their landlord.

They note that everything is being told to them verbally, with nothing in writing.

Plus, those who have to leave the Roosevelt for good claim they’re not getting their security deposits back or a pro-rated portion of their December rent.

“We’re here, but nothing’s being done. You can’t just put senior citizens out on the street,” said resident Andrea Gordon. “You tell us we have to move, but where are we going?”

When 11 News tried to call property manager Dana McFarland, she replied, “No comment, have a great day,” and hung up the phone.

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1 killed, 3 treated for injuries in downtown Pittsburgh high rise fire

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