Bronx families are managing it’minute by minute’ weeks after fire displaced hundreds

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Bronx families are managing it'minute by minute' weeks after fire displaced hundreds

Nearly 300 people are still without homes after a devastating fire tore through an apartment building on Wallace Avenue in the Allerton neighborhood of the Bronx. The fire, which occurred on January 10, forced residents to flee in the middle of the night, leaving behind their belongings and the only homes they had ever known. Despite efforts from the city, relief organizations, and community members, many families are still struggling to find permanent housing and stability.

Life After the Fire: The Struggle Continues

It’s been three weeks since the six-story apartment building was destroyed by the blaze. While the immediate danger is over, the challenges for displaced families are far from resolved. Many residents, like Nicolet Seymour and her family, are facing uncertainty about where they will live next.

After staying in a hotel in Harlem provided by the American Red Cross, Seymour now has to move again. Her family includes her young daughter, parents, and two dogs, all of whom are affected by the upheaval. Describing the emotional toll, Seymour shared, “You know how people say day by day? For us, it’s minute by minute.”

One of the hardest parts for her is explaining the situation to her two-year-old daughter, who can’t understand why her home is gone. Seymour and many others are now depending on the city’s Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) department, which is working to provide emergency housing and relocation services to registered tenants.

The Housing Crisis: High Rents and Limited Options

Finding new housing has been a significant challenge. Many families are faced with skyrocketing rents, often double or even triple what they previously paid. Seymour expressed her frustration, saying, “We’re in a crunch right now trying to find a place to live, probably double the rent, triple the rent, whatever just to keep our family together.”

While Parkash Management, the company responsible for the burned building, claims it’s trying to relocate families to other properties they own in the Bronx, some residents like Seymour say they haven’t been contacted. This lack of communication adds to the stress and uncertainty for those who’ve already lost so much.

Community Support: A Beacon of Hope

Despite these hardships, the Bronx community has shown remarkable support. In the weeks following the fire, residents and local businesses have come together to donate clothes, shoes, toiletries, and other essentials. Volunteers have sorted and stacked more than 100 bags of goods, which are being distributed to fire victims at a business on White Plains Road.

This community-driven effort continues, with distribution scheduled through Saturday until 7 p.m. For many families, this support has been a lifeline during an incredibly difficult time. Seymour reflected on the strength of her neighborhood, saying, “The community stayed strong, and us coming together means so much. That’s why it’s so hard to leave our neighborhood.”

While the immediate danger of the fire has passed, the struggle for the displaced families of Wallace Avenue is far from over. They face the challenges of finding affordable housing, coping with emotional trauma, and rebuilding their lives from scratch. However, the unwavering support from their community offers hope and a reminder that even in the darkest times, people can come together to make a difference. As the city and local organizations continue to provide assistance, these families are holding on to the hope of finding a new place to call home.

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Noah Carroll

Noah Carroll ('23) is a Politics and International Affairs major from Charlotte, North Carolina. He covers the National News and providing insights and analysis on key political and current events.

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