FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Oasis Living Quarters along West Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is facing serious backlash after abruptly evicting its residents, many of whom claim they’ve yet to receive written notice.
The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration has launched an investigation following last week’s story on Local 10 News.
During a mandatory meeting in March, residents and their families said they were told they had to move out of the facility.
While management would not comment, residents insist they were told that the owners were making way to convert the senior living facility and memory care unit into luxury apartments, available for rent. Resident families are now taking legal action for how this unfolded.
“Frankly I’m not surprised,” said attorney Michael Brevda with Senior Justice Law Firm. “This is a growing real estate trend that we’re seeing come from the Northeast. It’s becoming more and more prevalent.”
Brevda said he’s seen many assisted living facility owners choosing to shut down and convert their properties into high-end apartments or condos, prioritizing profits over the well-being of their residents in some cases. He said some property owners specifically seek out assisted living facilities.
Zoning laws allow these conversions to happen.
The problem continues to be how facilities manage those business transactions.
“The problem that we’re seeing is that a lot of these decisions are made quickly and callously and the notice is not given,” said Brevda. “Those residents are scrambling to find a place to put a roof over their heads.”
These include residents who have dementia or some who are bedridden and in need of constant care.
A building still attached to Oasis Living Quarters was already previously converted into apartments. Those units are already up for rent at 2855 W. Commercial Blvd.
Mark Tress was the agent listed on Sunbiz for the property and Oasis Living Quarters.
In response to our email, he told us his company Cedar Holdings “is no longer involved in this property or its management.”
The administrator, Steven Gottlieb, initially told Local 10 News reporter Andrew Perez he did not have to give the residents more notice.
He later returned and said that his “comment is ‘no comment.’”
Brevda insists there should be more in place to protect the most vulnerable in our community
“I think it would be a great idea to codify some sort of protection,” he said. “Whether it comes from the legislature or whether it comes from the agency that would prevent this kind of flipping. Not prohibit this kind of transfer but to make it a smoother transition to what we have now.”