On Monday, the Memphis Housing Authority took over management of Serenity Towers in East Memphis. The complex has faced ongoing issues, including pest infestations, broken elevators, and a lack of essential services like heating and air conditioning, particularly affecting its senior residents.
The City of Memphis, through the Memphis Housing Authority, is now in charge of managing Serenity Towers, which houses around 200 residents, while plans are made to relocate them. Advocate Donna Olds White criticized the situation, saying, "We're paying them to abuse and neglect our elderly and our seniors." State Rep. G.A. Hardaway called attention to the seriousness of the conditions, saying, "Not only has it been an inconvenience to some, but we have lost lives. People have died because of the conditions they've had to live in at Serenity Towers. It could have been prevented." The building's former owners, the Millennia Companies, are being criticized for claiming they didn't have the funds for necessary repairs despite receiving subsidies, as stated by Action News 5
The relocation of tenants from Serenity Towers in Memphis is still uncertain, with the Mayor's office stating, "As of now, no timeline has been set for the relocation of tenants." Rep. Hardaway emphasized the importance of supporting the senior residents during the move. The city is also working to address residents' immediate needs while recovering taxpayer money spent on the building. Memphis city attorney Will Gibbons criticized the management, saying, "I just find it to be kind of unconscionable to run a business the way they run it in Memphis." With the Memphis Housing Authority now in charge, the city is focused on improving conditions at the complex and holding the management accountable, according to WREG and FOX13 Memphis.
