MEMPHIS, Tenn. — So far, no families have relocated from Warren or Tulane apartments.
However, according to HUD Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, out of 355 families, most have qualified for a voucher.
Warren and Tulane by the Numbers:
- 355 families affected
- 321 eligible to get Housing Choice Voucher
- 15 families initially determined ineligible
- 19 to be determined
HUD will soon bring relocation specialists to Memphis to assist tenants with their moves set to begin in April.
According to the presentation provided to members of the Memphis City Council and WREG, the agency anticipates issuing all of the vouchers by April 30.
“We will have relocation specialists near each property in the next 30 days so we can help them with their assistance, and we’re going to monitor that process as we go forward,” Jennings told WREG.
Jennings said one specialist will be close to Warren and the other will be near Tulane.
He said they’ll assist with everything from questions about vouchers to issues such as moving personal belongings and handling security deposits.
Staffers from the Memphis Housing Authority also spoke to council members Tuesday about available properties as tenants from Foote Homes have to relocate too.
They say more than 2,700 units are available for rent in the area, so there shouldn’t be a problem.
Despite that, council members like Patrice Robinson expressed concern.
“Based on the presentation today we know that we have locations, but we have not coordinated that, and I believe that effort should be a little more coordinated. ”
Robinson, along with Councilman Berlin Boyd, also raised concerns about children forced to relocate to new schools. Boyd mentioned ongoing issues with violence and gangs.
After the meeting, citizens like William Beard got the chance to question HUD about why it took so long to step in.
“How in the world did your regulations allow that?” Beard asked Jennings.
He followed up with, “There are some people out there hurting, like a thousand of them, because somebody didn’t do their job.”
“That would be the owner,” Jennings responded.
Beard then said, “Agreed, but somebody didn’t get to him soon enough.”
WREG asked also asked Jennings about HUD’s late inspections.
“We’re reviewing that process as we speak, we have agreed to make sure that we have monthly meetings with the city of Memphis … so that when action needs to be taken it can be taken swiftly.”
As far as the relocation process, Council members said they’re expecting regular updates from both HUD and MHA.