On March 4. 2026, residents of Asteri Ithaca, were told to vacate the premises after Ithaca Fire Department firefighters discovered safety concerns in the building’s stairwell while responding to a fire alarm call. They would only later be let back into the complex on March 20th.
The affordable housing development in the Ithaca Commons which dedicates 40 of its 181 apartment units for the unhoused, has long struggled with management issues and has faced multiple lawsuits over its living conditions.
Since February, The Vecino Group has been incentivising residents to move out through a “Cash For Keys initiative. According to agreements made by Asteri and obtained by The Sun, the building owners are offering $2,000 to residents that “fully vacate and surrender possession of the premises” within five days.
Signing this agreement releases both Asteri and the resident from any obligations associated with leases, though some residents told The Sun that they worry its an attempt to prevent future lawsuits
During the order to vacate, The Sun spoke to tenants who refused to leave despite the order to vacate and toured the building and its conditions.
Filmed by Benjamin Leynse
Edited by Benjamin Leynse
Narrated by Benjamin Leynse
Produced by Benjamin Leynse, Shubha Gautam, Jade Dubuche
Photos by Nathan Ellison | Sound design by Julius Pieper
Benjamin Leynse is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board and can be reached at bleynse@cornellsun.com.
Shubha Gautam is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a senior writer for the News department and can be reached at sgautam@cornellsun.com.
