Timothy ‘Tim’ Walters, Albany, NY school custodian loses job after secretly living at school where he worked as custodian, saying bills became too much and couldn’t come up with upfront costs to move into new place.
‘I had no where else to go….’ A longtime school employee is out of a job after ‘secretly’ living at an Albany, NY middle school for more than six months after unable to keep up with the bills according to reports.
Timothy ‘Tim’ Walters, 36, spent 17 years working for the Albany City School District before eventually becoming the head custodian at William S. Hackett Middle School in Albany, NY.
Albany dad of four makeshift residence at place of work
Walters reportedly began living inside the school ‘he maintained and cleaned’ in October 2025 after he no longer had a place of his own after previously living with his sister and her husband. He settled into an unused storage area on the fourth floor, located above the school’s auditorium.
Walters turned the space into a makeshift residence. He brought in beds, furniture, a refrigerator and personal belongings. He also prepared meals in a nearby boiler room, where he used a griddle and an air fryer according to the nypost.
Walters a divorced dad, furthermore had his four children stay with him at the school during his weekend visitation. His children are between 11 and 17 years old.
The arrangement remained undetected for months until school officials examined surveillance footage as part of a separate investigation involving other custodians and alleged overtime violations. Investigators reportedly noticed that Walters appeared to be spending an unusually large amount of time at the school, including during periods when he was not working.
That prompted officials to look more closely, ultimately revealing that the school worker had been clandestinely living inside the building.
Strapped school custodian couldn’t cover upfront costs of a new residence
Walters was not accused of being part of the overtime investigation. He reportedly said that he occasionally noticed maintenance issues while off the clock and fixed them without requesting additional pay.
The worker said financial hardship played a major role in his decision to stay at the school. Although he earned nearly $80,000 in 2025 with overtime, Walters said he was paying roughly $2,000 each month in child support. After covering taxes, health insurance, food, transportation and other expenses, the school employee said he did not have enough money for the upfront costs associated with renting an apartment.
The school district suspended Walters after discovering the unauthorized living arrangement and considered firing him, before Walters resigning in June 2026, the Times Union reported.
A trespassing charge that had initially been brought against him was later dropped.
Walters acknowledged that he should not have been living at the school and described the decision as a major mistake. Despite losing his position, he reportedly hopes to find new employment and move into stable housing.
‘I have a great work ethic, I got skills enough to make it in this world. I know it comes down to confidence, and I’m very confident myself,’ the former custodian said during a recent interview.
Walters’ sister has set up a GoFundMe, ‘Albany Custodian worker living in school needs support’ to help her sibling arrange new housing.
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