MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After years of problems and substandard living conditions, WREG has learned that some seniors have finally moved.

The WREG Investigators spoke with the Memphis Housing Authority, and they confirmed that 14 tenants who pay market-rate rent are in the process of relocating, and four of those seniors have already moved.

This week, more than 70 of all 145 residents have received vouchers.

On Mar. 6, a spokesperson for the Memphis Housing Authority told NewsChannel 3 that out of the 145 seniors that must be moved, nine have currently identified units and submitted applications for approval. Those nine residents who are further along in the process pay market rate rent for their apartments at Serenity, which is primarily government subsidized.

The spokesperson further explained, “The remaining residents are shopping for housing with the assistance of the relocation team.”

There are 95 residents who receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and 50 residents who pay market rate.

After years of violations that left residents in unsafe conditions, as exposed by the WREG Investigators, and a recent push from the city, the property was declared a chronic nuisance by the Shelby County Environmental Court. The judge also deemed the property uninhabitable and required all residents to be relocated by May 23rd.

The MHA spokesperson told WREG that seniors will get assistance with “temporary” housing if they haven’t found a permanent new home by then.

“We are going to stay on a 30-day reset until we can continue to see the move-out completed,” said Judge Patrick Dandridge, Environmental Court.

HUD canceled its Housing Assistance Payment contract with Serenity’s owner, Millennia, and that money will now go to the residents in the form of vouchers.

MHA took over the day-to-day operations at Serenity and is also assisting HUD with the relocation.

Cheiktha Dowers, the Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program for MHA, said that their goal is for all residents who qualify to have vouchers next week.

“So by the end of the by the end of this month, in March, we anticipate having all of the families relocated,” said Dowers. “We have deployed significant resources to assist these families. As you know, the city is a partner, and we have many landlords around the city that’s assisting us.”

There will be a housing fair at Serenity Towers next Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Dowers says they want it to serve as a one-stop shop for residents to connect with landlords.

The next court date is scheduled for April 3.