MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Right off the bat Monday night housing representatives made it clear why they were there.
“Pass the word. We’re looking for good landlords so we can help those families being relocated from Warren and Tulane,” said Cheiktha Scott with the Memphis Housing Authority.
Warren and Tulane Apartments were removed from HUD’s list for poor living conditions.
All the residents must find a new place to live, and while there are enough homes, are they good enough?
“We don’t want to see people leave here and go to places like Peppertree,” said Brad Watkins of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.
Critics have said time and again, there needs to be safer, better housing in the city, but landlords say the tenants needs to be safer and better too.
“They said everybody is going to have a background check, I don’t think they’re going to have 500 people coming out of Warren Apartments with their background check,” said Mary Briggs.
Yolanda Martin is thinking about it.
The new property owner said HUD gave a pretty good sell, and they think the checks and balances may be there to give it a shot.
“That’s going to be helpful, to have inspections and the things the landlords can do on their own that’s going to be helpful,” said Martin.