ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Scholar's Book Hoarding Eviction Sparks Debate on NYC Housing

other · 2026-07-14

A New York City scholar known as Uminer faced eviction after accumulating thousands of books in his apartment, sourced from thrift shops, book dealers, and eBay. Despite his denial of being a hoarder, his building management disagreed. The case highlights tensions between intellectual pursuits and urban housing regulations.

Key facts

  • Uminer is a scholar living in New York City.
  • He acquired books from thrift shops, book dealers, and eBay.
  • His building management considered his book collection hoarding.
  • Uminer stated, 'I don’t think of myself as a hoarder, but I guess my building did.'
  • The incident was reported by The New York Times on July 9, 2026.

Entities

Artists

  • Uminer

Institutions

  • The New York Times

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States

Sources