MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Could there be a new plan in the works to save the Warren and Tulane apartments?
WREG obtained a series of letters from city and federal leaders pressing HUD for a new plan for the dilapidated properties and the relocation of residents.
If you visit the Warren Apartments on Clementine Road in South Memphis around 4:30 p.m., you’ll see dozens of young kids hopping off the school bus.
However, when residents start moving, there’s no telling where the bus stop will be for the hundreds of school children who live at the complexes.
The relocation of children during the school year is just one of the concerns outlined in a letter from Sen. Lamar Alexander to HUD.
He wrote in support of the Mayor’s Office and City Council, who say they’re concerned about the timeline for the relocation.
“City officials are concerned that the timeline for relocating these families could cause a disruption in education for school age children,” Alexander wrote in a letter dated March 23 to HUD Secretary Julian Castro.
Councilwoman Janis Fullilove sent a letter to several state and federal leaders in early March.
She told WREG among the concerns raised, “We want you to kind of slow down on asking these residents to just get out.”
Fullilove said the city supports HUD’s move to pull GMF’s funding, but they’re putting new options on the table that they believe could lead to a better outcome.
Fullilove letter to state, federal leaders
Fullilove explained, “There has been some potential buyers of those properties, which is a good thing.”
Specifically, the city wants another owner to be able to take over at Warren or Tulane, keep the federal funding already available, make repairs and allow people to stay if they want.
HUD could also allow a HAP contract transfer.
Mayor Strickland’s letter to Congressman Steve Cohen
HUD made a presentation to City Council recently but didn’t address these options.
A team from HUD is scheduled to be back at Warren and Tulane next week to meet with residents about vouchers.
Fullilove said ultimately, they want safe and clean housing for the residents, but they believe there could be a better route to get there.
“We want to make that transition as smooth as possible; that’s why were waiting patiently on information from HUD.”
Mayor Jim Strickland wrote in his letter to Rep. Steve Cohen, “To be clear, I am not asking for any delay in the relocation of specific families who are living in unacceptable conditions and who want to leave immediately.”
It further stated, “I am asking HUD consider the timing of its actions and allow us to suggest concrete alternatives before the large scale displacement of families begins.”
City leaders also indicated a concern for having to eventually demolish empty buildings at Warren and Tulane which could further reduce the already tight number of affordable housing units across the city.
