Six-hundred public housing residents will be looking for a new place to live if the Port Arthur Housing Authority gets approval to knock down Carver Terrace and Lincoln Square. It's part of the plan to build more up to date public housing.
Residents say while finding a place to live will be hard, they are ready to see Carver Terrace and Lincoln Square torn down.
They were built back in the 1950's, and the Housing Authority says their age is the driving force behind the planned demolition.
Walking around Maxquisha Johnson's apartment, she says she can see why Housing Authority would want to tear them down.
"They need to tear them down. It's just so old, and it gets to where you can't do anything else to them," said Johnson.
With a second baby on the way, Johnson lives in the apartment with her five year old son.
However, plans are in the works to demolish her apartment along with 204 other units.
"They're old, prehistoric. They've been here forever," said one resident, Xavier Taylor. "Plus, the danger."
Johnson agrees, saying that danger is another reason she wants out.
"My son, he doesn't go outside."
Within the next 90 days, Housing Authority Director Cele Quesada says they will submit a demolition request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Once approved, 204 or more new units will be built to meet today's standards. With proper funding, the Housing Authority says it would like to build a total of 368 units.
The demolition is also an effort to move away from the idea of public housing lumped together in one place like the apartment complex. The Housing Authority wants a scattered concept where public housing is mixed with private housing.
That will allow them to use both private and public funds to pay for the building.
Placed in various parts of the community, at least half of the new apartments will be designated for public housing residents.
Meanwhile, the 600 losing a home will get a voucher to live elsewhere.
"I think that's a great thing," said Johnson.
Until then, the promise of a new home is enough for her family.
Depending on funding available, the Housing Authority wants to start rebuilding within 18 months, but they might have to build a few units at a time until they get enough to house 600 residents who will lose a home.
