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With just weeks remaining before a mandatory move-out deadline, residents of the Heatherton Apartment Complex say they are struggling to get answers and assistance regarding their relocation. 

An April 1 letter from apartment management gave all tenants until May 1 to vacate their units, offering a $1,000 stipend and security deposit refund for those who leave early.

“Everyone got a letter on April 1 to be out by May 1,” said Kenneth Crum, chairman of the Board of Butler County Concern Citizens. “They’ll get their deposit back in something like 15 days if the apartment is clean and in good condition, but they haven’t even had anyone to do any maintenance calls.”

The new notice, distributed weeks after only Section 8 voucher holders were initially informed of the temporary closure, has left residents scrambling. Some are concerned that vague promises of stipends and deposit returns may not be enough to offset the housing crisis the move is creating.

“Legal aid says that [apartment managers] are within their rights, but from a humanitarian standpoint, it’s just not right,” Crum said. “Where are these folks going to go? They have nowhere to go. These people need solutions. They need help.”

The official notice states that residents who vacate their units before May 1, 2025, and leave the property in acceptable condition will receive a $1,000 stipend within 10 days and a deposit refund within 35 days. However, the timing of the announcement and lack of detailed follow-up have heightened resident frustration.”

Carolyn Dillard, a longtime tenant, previously voiced concerns about environmental safety due to reports of arsenic in the soil. 

“Nobody has talked to me. Nobody has told me anything,” Dillard said at a March community meeting.

City Councilman Jae’ques Brown has attempted to step in but says his efforts to coordinate with the Organized Community Action Program (OCAP), the majority owner of the property, met delays when the organization cited the need to reschedule their meeting.

“My goal is to meet with the Director of OCAP and find out what the absolute deadline is,” Brown said. “Whoever typed that letter was not clear and what they have said is not really enough when Greenville is already facing housing issues.”

Representatives with OCAP have stated that the program is working with partner agencies to secure relocation assistance, and previously said it applied for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields grant to fund cleanup at the site. The work is tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2025 and could take up to 16 weeks, during which residents cannot live on the premises.

Brown says despite political implications, his concerns remain focused on the people living at Heatherton. 

“This may be political for some, but it’s not to me,” Brown said. “I am truly concerned about these people. As a City Councilman, I want this transition to be as smooth as possible for the residents.”

As the May 1 deadline approaches, community advocates say they will continue pushing for clarity and assistance for the displaced residents.