HOUSTON – Confused, frustrated and scared.
Those emotions are being felt by nearly 200 vulnerable Houstonians after they were told they have five days to find somewhere new to live.
The front awning of 2100 Memorial says Senior Living. It provides affordable housing for the elderly, for veterans, and the disabled. Residents said they just received notice that their lease will be terminated on Sept. 23 due to Harvey damage.
Residents were distraught and outraged.
The seniors said they're being told that the damage was so severe that the building is uninhabitable.
"They're telling us in less than five days, they want us gone," said Otis Langston, a resident of 2100 Memorial.
"I have nowhere to go. No one's given me any information about where to go," said Susan Fronek, another resident.
In all, 188 people at the senior residence have to move out by Saturday -- an overwhelming task for the residents, many of whom say they don’t have the help or the means to move.
"We only have three elevators. How are you going to move 14 floors in three or four days?" said resident Albert Talbert.
While the first floor suffered damage, residents feel their apartments are fine. Inspectors say the place is uninhabitable.
So Houston Housing Authority, which owns the building, is terminating everyone's lease. It says Harvey damage knocked out fire alarms, created mold problems and water system problems.
“The water system has three pumps,” said Tory Gunsolley, CEO and president of the Houston Housing Authority. “Only one pump works and so if that pump goes the building has no water. The electrical system, likewise, is kind of being held together on a wing and a prayer.”
Before they make repairs, the Housing Authority says it needs more information.
"The question is do we invest the millions of dollars it will take to repair this building only to have it flooding again and if we're going to be required by future city codes are future maps to elevate the building," Gunsolley said.
With the first deadline at 6 p.m. tonight to clean out their storage areas, residents took their case to City Council.
“I am from 2100 and my words are not going to be nice okay?” said one resident to council members. “What has happened here is terrible, absolutely terrible.”
In the mayor and council members, the residents found a sympathetic audience, but for now Saturday's deadline to move out still looms.
The housing authority says they are working with FEMA to get everyone placed and cover moving expenses.
