Local

HUD meets with Roosevelt Gardens tenants forced to move

By Christy Turner, WFTV.com and Action News Jax
By Christy Turner, WFTV.com and Action News Jax

Dozens of families met with Department of Housing and Urban Development representatives Wednesday for the first time after learning they’ll have to find a new place to live.

HUD is terminating Section 8 housing at Roosevelt Garden apartments, according to a letter HUD sent to Mayor Lenny Curry.

On Wednesday, HUD held the first of two meetings at the Brentwood Lake Apartments Community Center. The next meeting is at 10 a.m. Thursday.

HUD said the purpose is to provide information to tenants about the housing vouchers and relocation benefits, and to answer their questions.

HUD said it wants to make the relocation process as easy as possible. The group will meet individually with each household to determine relocation needs and preferences.

In a newsletter to tenants, HUD said it will provide counseling to tenants to help with various things such as setting a budget, contacting landlords and housing providers, making arrangements for transportation to inspect available housing and assisting with completing rental applications, among other things.

Alesia Scott-Ford, the HUD field officer director in Jacksonville, said no tenants will be left homeless.

“The relocation contractor is working individually with every tenant to ensure that they have a place to live,” Scott-Ford said.

HUD said it will not end the contract until every tenant with a voucher moves out of the complex.

Housing choice vouchers will be handed out to tenants May 21-23 at the Hogan Creek Towers, located at 1320 Broad St. N.

The appointments are based on the tenant’s last name.

  • If a tenant's last name begins with letters A-D, their appointment date is at 9:30 a.m. May 21.
  • If a tenant's last name begins with letters E-J, their appointment date is at 2 p.m. May 21.
  • If a tenant's last name begins with letters K-M, their appointment date is at 1 p.m. May 22.
  • If a tenant's last name begins with letters N-R, their appointment date is at 9:30 a.m. May 23.
  • If a tenant's last name begins with letters S-Y, their appointment date is at 2 p.m. May 23.

Cox Media Group

Most Read