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Tag: Concierge

  • A.G. Tong Responds to Concierge Letter: “Do Better”

    A.G. Tong Responds to Concierge Letter: “Do Better”

    On Friday afternoon, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong reacted on social media to the letter sent on Thursday by a lawyer representing the owners of Concierge Apartments. Tong stated: “We’re pressing for rental credits, reimbursement for out of pocket expenses, and the option for tenants to void their leases.”

    Here is the text of Tong’s video remarks:

    It’s Friday afternoon, and temperatures are dropping down to minus two, minus three in the next couple of days, and the tenants at concierge apartments and Rocky Hill have now been kicked out of their homes, no heat, no hot water, and I just got a letter from one of Concierge’s lawyers that wasn’t just tone deaf. I can I can only describe it as as like callous and indifferent.

    And so I just responded with my own letter, and I made it crystal clear that Concierge has to step up all of their managers out there in California, their owners of this $15 billion private equity backed real estate conglomerate, you got to step up right now and make sure that every tenant has access to quality housing, a roof over their heads for children and families and every tenant.

    You have to make sure that you take care of all of your tenants and their out of pocket expenses. I don’t want to hear about renters insurance. This is on you: lost food, lost medicine, lost time at work. This is on you, Concierge, and the billions of billions of dollars you have backing you up.

    Also, tenants should get up to a year break on their rent. You have failed them for years and years and years. That is only fair, and if tenants want to move out, if they don’t want to put up with this anymore, they should be allowed to break their leases because you’re in breach of your obligations to them.

    And so I have a very simple message to Concierge on Friday afternoon, as it starts to freeze here in Connecticut: do better, now.

  • RH Superindentant Updates Parents about Food, Buses, and other Resources

    RH Superindentant Updates Parents about Food, Buses, and other Resources

    Rocky Hill Superintendent of Schools Mark Zito sent out the following message to parents on the afternoon of Friday, February 6:

    Dear Families and Staff Members,

    As you may know, the Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill have been dealing with significant physical infrastructure issues. As of today, all five buildings have been deemed temporarily unsafe, and residents are being relocated. School district officials were just briefed on the situation by the Town Manager and other Town officials. 

    Please rest assured that services and supports are being actively coordinated among families, the property management team at Concierge Apartments, and the Town of Rocky Hill’s Human Services Department. In collaboration with the Town, our goal is to ensure that families are connected to the resources they need as quickly and smoothly as possible.

    The Town has shared the following supports that are available to affected families:

    • Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry
      Open to all residents at Elm Ridge Park every other Friday from 1:00–1:45 p.m. Residents should bring their own bags and will receive food, including fresh produce.
      Upcoming dates include: February 13, February 27, March 13, and March 27.
      Additional locations and information are available at: https://mobilefoodpantry.ctfoodshare.org/
    • Rocky Hill Food Pantry
      The pantry offers nonperishable food items and other essential needs. To schedule an appointment, please call (860) 258-2799.
    • School-Based Snacks
      Snacks will be available to students, as needed, at West Hill, Moser, GMS, and RHHS.

    For additional assistance or questions, families may contact the Town of Rocky Hill’s Human Services Department at (860) 258-2799.

    We are working with our colleagues in Human Services to determine where families will be temporarily relocated (e.g., various area hotels). Once those details are available, we will work to coordinate busing services for the students that have been affected by the closure to ensure that these students continue their schooling with minimal disruption. In addition, we offer breakfast and lunch every day (M-F) at each of our schools. Children who may not regularly participate in the school district’s meal program are encouraged to take advantage of this service – a wide variety of meals, including vegetarian options, are available. 

    If you need school-related support for your child—academic, social, or emotional—please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school. We are committed to working alongside you and our community partners during this time.

    Finally, we realize that many staff members and families not directly impacted by this situation have inquired about helping the families that have been affected by the closure of the apartment complex. At this time, anyone wishing to help is asked to make a donation to the Rocky Hill Food Pantry. Please contact The Town of Rocky Hill’s Human Services Department for additional information. 

    We are grateful for the collaborative relationship that the Board of Education has with our municipal colleagues working for the Town of Rocky Hill. We also want to acknowledge the resilience of the families and students impacted by the closure of Concierge Apartments. We will continue to reach out directly to those families as more information becomes available. 

    Respectfully,

    Mark Zito, Superintendent of Schools