Local Seniors Face Uncertainty as Tampa Senior Living Facility Declares Bankruptcy

Tampa Senior Citizens Face Uncertain Future After Unisen Senior Living Declares Bankruptcy

TAMPA, Fla. — In a shocking turn of events, over 100 senior citizens are scrambling to find new homes after Unisen Senior Living, a facility located just a mile from the University of South Florida, declared bankruptcy. The announcement has left many residents, some of whom invested hundreds of thousands of dollars, grappling with the reality of eviction.

Jim Powell, 94, and his wife Mona, 91, received their first eviction notice earlier this month, just four months after paying a $100,000 entrance fee to move into the facility. “We came home from dinner that night and there was an envelope in our door. We just sat down and looked at each other. I can’t believe this. How could it happen so quickly?” Mona Powell recounted, her voice tinged with disbelief.

The Powells are among dozens of residents facing a similar fate. All 491 units in the complex will need to be vacated in the coming months, following revelations of financial troubles that date back years. A 2022 IRS Form 990 filed by the non-profit organization indicated annual losses exceeding $13 million, with the bankruptcy filing revealing debts between $100 million and $500 million.

“This is just a rotten thing to do to people,” Mona Powell expressed. “They knew it. They can’t say they didn’t know it. They’ve been cooking this up for months and months.”

Laura Vitale-DeRosa, whose father has lived at Unisen since 2016, echoed the sentiment of many residents. “They were told they were being evicted. The building was closing. Go find someplace else,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll on families as they navigate this upheaval.

The situation is particularly distressing for residents like James Vitale, who has lost the community he built over the years. “The only friends really that he has left are the ones living here, and now they’re all gonna be dispersed,” Vitale-DeRosa lamented.

Finding new accommodations has proven challenging. Many facilities in the area are either full or charge significantly higher fees. “Most of these places on this list are two-times at least what we were paying here,” Vitale-DeRosa noted, as she and her father search for a new home.

Realtor Lynnette Ramsey is assisting a former client in her search for a new place. “It was a lot of…Three hours, four hours yesterday calling around. Can we put a fence up? Can she bring her dog? What’s included in the monthly costs? They were like no, no, and not a lot,” she shared, illustrating the difficulties many face in finding suitable housing.

Unisen’s executive director declined an interview but stated, “This decision was not made without a vigorous attempt at keeping the community viable for our residents. Ultimately, it was with their best interests at heart that we made the choice to pursue bankruptcy.”

While the Powells have found a new apartment nearby, they hope it will be their last move. “When something like this is handed to you, it just kind of turns your world upside down,” Ramsey reflected.

In a bid to assist residents during this tumultuous time, each will receive a $25,000 moving allowance to help with relocation costs. However, for many, the emotional and financial impact of this sudden upheaval will linger long after the move.

As the community grapples with this unexpected crisis, the stories of resilience and determination among the residents shine through, reminding us of the importance of compassion and support in times of need.