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Tenants Of Senior Living Complex In White Plains Livid After Building Owner's Order To Move Out

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Dozens of Westchester seniors say they could soon be homeless, forced out of their homes in White Plains so developers can convert them into luxury apartments.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, some say they're not going to go without a fight.

Michael Hirsch is not happy that only five months after moving in, the blind 91-year-old is being forced to move out of the Esplanade -- a senior living complex on South Broadway in White Plains.

"The moving process is expensive and nerve-racking as you can imagine, especially for elderly people in their 80- and 90-year-olds," he said.

The owners of the complex sent a letter to all 150 residents in late November, saying they have to move out by mid-2016 so the 15-story building can be converted into luxury apartments, Conybeare reported.

"I think it's a shame," said Harold Gillet.

Gillet, 90, is the president of the Esplanade Residents Association.

"There are a lot of sick people here who came here figuring this is the last stop for them for their lives and it's destroying them and their families," he said.

While scaffolding is already up around the building, the city of White Plains still has to review and approve the plan before anything can happen.

A spokesperson for the Esplanade said no one is going to be thrown out onto the street. The spokesperson said anyone who has trouble finding a new place can move to temporary rooms in another building right across the street.

The owner's letter to tenants also offered assistance, saying "We are committed to working closely with all of our residents and their families to ease the transition into alternative locations and to help you identify and relocate to a new home."

But Gillet said those vague promises aren't enough.

"(Conybeare: You're willing to fight?) 100 percent," said Gillet. "And I advise all the residents here not to pay their rent. Just don't pay the rent. Make sure you get back your non-refundable deposits, your security deposits."

A spokesperson for the Esplanade said 60 of the 150 residents have already found new homes.

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