HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Tenants at the Greenbriar Apartments in Hot Springs are receiving a fresh start after dealing with months of what they called "poor living conditions."
Former and current tenants have shared their stories with us over the years about the difficulties of living at the apartment complex, including the landlord requiring them to pay for air conditioning units back in July 2023.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development and City Councilwoman Phyllis Beard hosted a meeting on April 24 to find a solution for the tenants.
On Tuesday, tenants began moving out of the Greenbriar Apartments and were placed in temporary housing. Hot Springs resident Jonathon Whittamore said the process relieved many people.
"The overwhelming feeling of them... packing has brought a lot of peace," Whittamore said.
Being placed in temporary housing and away from Greenbriar Apartments will offer a fresh start, according to Whittamore.
"Some of these people have lived here for 20 years," Whittamore said. "This is where they've known home for 20 years, and for them to be terrorized, it's not a good thing."
Hot Springs Housing Authority Deputy Director Linda Langan said HUD contacted their executive director and asked them to step in. Their offices provided 64 tenant protection vouchers, which allowed them to move anywhere in the United States, where they accepted Section 8 housing.
"Next week, we're going to have a briefing, and that's where they will come in," Langan said. "We will tell them our rules and give them a bedroom list and a voucher so they can move anywhere in Garland County. They can also port to another state or city."
Langan said this plan to move tenants around applies to current residents and former ones.
"HUD decided to do a look back period, which they decided was September 1, which was when the first notification of problems occurred," Langan said. "Anybody that has moved out and needs assistance will have them come to a briefing."