Residents must move out of condemned Alcoa apartment building by Thursday

ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) — Families have started moving out of an apartment building condemned by the City of Alcoa. However, many people still don't have a place to call home and one person is thinking about moving into her car.

The city of Alcoa condemned one of the buildings at Lakemont Village Apartments saying it is unfit for human habitation after apartment management was given months to make repairs. The city said it has no choice but the condemn the building and residents have to be out by Thursday, November 14.

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The last few days have been hectic for people living at Lakemont Village Apartment Building No. 1. Families have been moving furniture, boxes are packed and stuffed full of kitchen goods. Shaina Kirby spent several days washing her clothes and sorting them she as gets ready to move.

The City of Alcoa posted signs on November 1, saying that the building and its 16 apartments are unfit for human habitation . The residents must move out by November 14.

"We don't know where we are going yet but we have to be out by the deadline or they are going to board the place up," said Marie Feld.

"They're going to board up the window and doors. I don't want to be locked up in this place any longer than I have to be," said Justin Williams.

Alcoa's Codes Department warned Lakemont Village Apartment management to start making substantial repairs months ago. Despite efforts to fix things, the roof continued to leak. Patches were made inside ceilings but this failed and there continue to be numerous electrical problems.

"It's horrible. I can't understand why anybody who owns a complex and not take care of their people. We pay our rent, but they won't fix anything," said Tammy Chandler.

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"We have begged them for months and months to fix things and they still won't fix things," said Shaina Kirby. "[The city said] we cannot live here anymore, we cannot stay here anymore. There is a lot of us without anywhere to go."

Kirby said she may have to live in her car while looking for a new apartment. Hailey Elmore's son Legend is unaware of the turmoil around him, but his parents aren't.

"It has been stressful, very stressful. I have been here for two years, paid my rent every time. They still don't want to give me my deposit. It's been horrible," said Elmore.

Residents said they asked management for assistance, but no help has been offered. A few apartments are already empty. Some people have found a new place to stay. But those with pets have struck out when going to agencies.

"Their suggestion was that I move into a homeless shelter, but I could not have my animal. I can't do that. She is all I got," said Chandler.

Those left behind will continue looking.

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The city has given the management company out of Johnson City 30 days to submit a plan of action to correct the code violations. Two other apartment buildings at Lakemont Village remain open and the city said is closely monitoring those structures.