December marks one year since part of the building at 1915 Billingsley Terrace collapsed and displaced dozens of residents. Some tenants say, even with the holidays just around the corner, they are still without a permanent place to call home.

Although some tenants have been able to move back into their apartments, there are still multiple units in need of repairs. One resident showed News 12 a video of her apartment with gaping holes in the ceiling and walls. The property had more than 414 complaints over the last two years. The Legal Aid Society is now suing 1950 Realty Inc. and the property owners, David Kleiner, Yonah Roth, Moishe “Mo” Doe on behalf of the tenants.

Ivan, a longtime tenant who asked that News 12 only publish his first name, had been staying in a shelter hotel in downtown Manhattan since the collapse nine months ago, and was moved into a temporary apartment in August 2024. He says all of his belongings were destroyed in the disaster and that he still has no idea where he will stay long-term.

The Legal Society told News 12 that because the building is rent-stabilized, many tenants have struggled to find housing elsewhere, especially amid the city’s housing shortage. Some tenants like Ivan had to relocate to places in the city that are far from the jobs and schools.

“One of the reasons we brought this lawsuit is to pressure the landlord, to pressure the city into issuing those permits and really speeding up that construction.” said Zoe Kheyman, an attorney with Legal Aid Society. “Our goal is to get tenants back in as soon as possible.”

In November 2024, the Department of Buildings published a report, and among its findings, concluded that the building partly collapsed due to a support beam that was removed but not replaced. The agency told News 12 the owners of 1915 Billingsley Terrace filed an updated application in November for the reconstruction of at least six residential units. The owners have also hired a new architect, engineer and contractor for the project, according to DOB. The department is currently auditing the proposed plans to “confirm that the work can be performed safely, and in full compliance with all applicable city regulations.”