Tenants Rally Outside Conifer Realty Headquarters, Call for Greater Accountability

Tenants and housing advocates gathered outside Conifer Realty's headquarters on University Avenue Thursday, calling for improved living conditions at several Conifer-managed apartment complexes and urging state and local officials to reconsider awarding public funding to the affordable housing developer until existing maintenance issues are addressed.

The demonstration, organized by the Rochester Tenant Union and residents of several Conifer properties, focused largely on conditions at Park Square Apartments in downtown Rochester. Protesters carried signs and chanted outside the company's offices, alleging that residents have experienced ongoing maintenance problems, safety concerns and delays in completing repairs.

The rally comes amid increased public attention surrounding Park Square Apartments after city inspectors identified hundreds of housing code violations during the property's certificate of occupancy renewal process. According to previous reports, tenants have raised concerns about recurring elevator outages, pest infestations, sanitation issues, building security and delayed maintenance requests.

Organizers also questioned why Conifer Realty continues to receive public financing for affordable housing developments while residents at some existing properties continue to report unresolved maintenance concerns. The Rochester Tenant Union has called on government agencies to withhold future public funding until the company demonstrates significant improvements at its current developments.

In response, Conifer Realty disputed the characterization of conditions at Park Square Apartments.

In a statement, the company said the inspection process resulted in nearly 600 findings because city inspectors examined every apartment as part of the required certificate of occupancy renewal. Conifer said the majority of the findings involved minor maintenance items commonly identified during comprehensive inspections and that only a small number of issues remained unresolved as of Thursday. The company added that several remaining repairs require access to apartments where residents have not yet provided entry.

"Resident safety and satisfaction are our priorities, and we will continue to work closely with residents and the City until every item is resolved and to continue the dialogue," Conifer said in a statement.

The company also said it continues to work with the City of Rochester to address inspection findings and complete all required repairs as part of the certificate of occupancy renewal process.

City officials have acknowledged that violations remain outstanding and have said they expect Conifer to complete the required repairs. Officials say they will continue to monitor the property's compliance with local housing and building codes.