MEMPHIS, Tenn. — “I think it’s great. It’s time for a change,” says one Foote Home resident.

“A lot of people have gotten here, and they have gotten comfortable here,” says another.

There are mixed emotions from residents who have called Foote Homes home for years.

They are anxious to find a better place to live but concerned they may not be able to return once things are rebuilt.

“I don’t know exactly where I am going to be,” says Lisa Conrad, who has lived in Foote Homes for 12 years, raising her kids.

She wants the chance to come back but also wants more.

“I want my yard space, my front and back yard, my own porch, my own driveway. That’s what I look forward to. I want to be in a house,” says Conrad.

Starting in April, MHA says 394 families must move.

Soon, current residents will get vouchers to pay for new places to live.

It works like this, the voucher is your ticket to get a new place. It`s money for the down payment. It`s up to many of the residents to go out and find another place to live.

Community meetings have been held to answer residents` questions about relocation assistance.

Tenants are getting vouchers that will help cover their move.  Their housing will be subsidized based on their income, like it is now.

They will get a list of possible places to live and decide where they want to re-locate.

“The agency is behind them in their effort to move. We are not just redeveloping and moving families out and not giving them an opportunity to get a fresh start and move ahead in life,” says William Webb with the Memphis Housing Authority.

A big issue for many residents with kids is how relocating will interrupt the children`s school year.

More than 393 children in Foote Homes go to Shelby County Schools.

At least 156 of them are at Booker T. Washington, which sits across from Foote Homes.

Yolanda Robinson wants stability for her son who attends BTW.

“I am gonna keep him there, and hopefully he can go back to finish that Senior year next year. I hope that is one of the things they allow them to do,” says Robinson.

Relocation for families with kids is being delayed until the end of this school year.

Shelby County Schools says once the students` families move into their new homes, they`ll attend the school based on their address.

If they move outside the BTW zone, Choice Transfer could be an option.

Construction will be in phases, allowing some residents to start moving back in 2018.

A part of the grant requires that for every low-income unit developers tear down, they must put one back, meaning there will be 420 units that qualify for subsidized housing.

Tenants just have to qualify to live in them, meaning a background check and being current on their rent,

There will also be a senior only unit and several family units.

Still some worry problems will also return.

“I am just afraid it would be ok for a little while, and then once everybody gets comfortable, it’ll just be another Foote Homes. Those are my beliefs,” says Lisa Conrad.

For many, the possibilities are exciting.

The former Cleaborn Homes stands as a testament that change can lead to better things.

The old Cleaborn Homes is now houses and apartments attracting those of all races, ages and incomes.

Betty Isom lived there most of her life.

“A long time ago I didn’t really understand it, but now I see it’s for the better. People can get out and get on their own, cause I got out and got on my own,” says Isom.

The vicinity of downtown makes Foote Homes a prime location.

The city gets rid of an eyesore that’s a haven for crime and creates something new as the city tries to grow downtown.

For residents, it`s about even more, saying goodbye to the past and hoping what`s ahead is even brighter.

“I’m glad to see it happening, finally,” says Lisa Conrad.

Foote Homes was built in the 1940’s and now has 420 units.

The new structure that will replace it will have more than 700 apartments and houses.

MHA says the entire redevelopment will be complete by 2021.