WILLIAMSVILLE, NY — The New York State Department of Health has issued a Statement of Deficiencies to Comprehensive Rehabilitation & Nursing Center at Williamsville following a complaint-driven investigation that documented unsafe building conditions, according to state health officials.
The unannounced inspection, conducted February 5, 2026, found the facility failed to provide a safe and sanitary environment for its 119 residents, as reported by the Buffalo News. State inspectors observed a blue tarp covering portions of the roof and residents reported having to navigate around buckets placed throughout corridors to catch water from ongoing leaks.
The facility, located at 164 Reist Street and certified for 124 beds, has 10 days to submit a plan of correction to state regulators. Once the corrective action plan is received, health department officials will conduct a follow-up inspection to verify compliance, according to the Department of Health.
Family members have been raising concerns about conditions inside the facility for weeks. David Marshall, whose mother resides at Comprehensive Rehab, first contacted local media outlets in early February describing tarps connected to tubes and buckets collecting water throughout the building. Marshall also reported a smell "like raw sewage" in areas of the facility, as reported by WIVB.
Marshall alleged that facility management deliberately kept resident rooms cold while monitoring ceiling temperatures with infrared thermometers, apparently attempting to slow snow melt on the damaged roof at the expense of elderly residents' comfort. "If this were your apartment, would you settle for that if you were paying $11,000 a month?" Marshall said, according to WKBW. "It's not acceptable how they're operating right now."
While roof repairs have reportedly begun at the facility, the timeline for complete remediation remains unclear. Assemblywoman Karen McMahon, whose office reported the concerns to state health regulators, called the deficiencies "deeply troubling," according to the Buffalo News.
Marshall emphasized that his complaints focus on facility management and ownership rather than direct care staff. "The level of care she's receiving is very good," Marshall told reporters. "Our complaints are more about the management and ownership of the facility from a higher level."
Separately, Amherst Police confirmed officers responded to the facility for an employment-related matter earlier this week, though details were not immediately available. The facility has not responded to multiple requests for comment from local news outlets.
CMS Inspection History
Federal oversight data reveals a pattern of regulatory compliance challenges at Comprehensive Rehabilitation & Nursing Center at Williamsville. The facility currently holds a one-star overall rating from Medicare.gov, the lowest possible rating in the federal quality measurement system.
According to Medicare.gov data, the nursing home has accumulated 22 fire safety citations, approximately four times the national average for similar facilities. The facility has been fined nine times by state or federal regulators since 2015, with penalties totaling $61,000, as reported by the Buffalo News.
Most recently, the facility received a $37,138 fine in 2024, according to federal inspection records. Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain safe, functional buildings and provide a sanitary environment free from hazards that could harm residents.
The current deficiency citations add to this regulatory history and will become part of the facility's permanent inspection record maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Ownership & Operations
Comprehensive Rehabilitation & Nursing Center at Williamsville operates under multiple ownership principals, according to state licensing records. Listed owners include David Gast, Joshua Farkovits, Ephram Lahasky, Sam Halperk, Debbie Korngut, Teresa Lichtschein, and Jeffrey Arem, as reported by the Buffalo News.
Federal and state regulations hold nursing home owners accountable for ensuring facilities comply with health and safety standards. Advocates have called for increased scrutiny of ownership groups when facilities develop patterns of regulatory violations.
"There needs to be more follow-up," Marshall said, according to WKBW. "These are serious problems in these facilities with medically vulnerable people, and there needs to be accountability, not only for the administrator, but the owners as well."
Resources for Families
Family members with concerns about conditions in New York nursing homes can contact the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program at 1-800-677-1116. The ombudsman program provides free, confidential assistance to nursing home residents and families.
Complaints about immediate health or safety concerns can be reported directly to the New York State Department of Health's complaint hotline. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services maintains inspection reports, deficiency citations, and quality ratings for all certified nursing homes at Medicare.gov/care-compare.
As the March 2026 deadline for the facility's corrective action plan approaches, Marshall and local elected officials have said they will continue monitoring the situation to ensure promised improvements are implemented and sustained.
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