Port Wentworth displaced tenants get housing help after building deemed unlivable

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) - Seven people forced from their homes after Port Wentworth deemed their building unlivable are getting help from a local housing agency.

Two tenants, including one family of six, had no plan after officials ruled the building at 198 South Coastal Highway unfit for habitation.

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire is placing the family in its emergency short-term housing program, according to CEO Katrina Bostick.

Michael Heyward, a senior living on Social Security, said the assistance makes a difference.

“I mean it makes a difference because things are hard now, for a guy like me, disabled, living off social security, it’s not much,” Heyward said.

Heyward said he didn’t know what he could afford or where to start with his fixed income.

Cleo Williams, his wife and four kids didn’t know where to go after the building closed.

Housing insecurity widespread

Bostick said housing insecurity is a widespread issue, and when a building isn’t kept up to code, tenants pay the price.

“The landlord not upkeeping that space and making sure that it was fit for habitation has put those families and unfortunately the city of Port Wentworth in a precarious situation,” Bostick said.

The city also cites that it’s the property owner is the one who is in charge of keeping the building livable.

The property owner declined to answer questions.

Heyward said accountability can come later.

“You can sue her you can do this — I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about having a roof over my head,” Heyward said.

Finding permanent housing isn’t quick, especially with limited openings and rising rent costs, according to Bostick.

“It can be daunting, families become consumed with trying to live day to day, and now having to figure out ‘how do I relocate,’” Bostick said.

The average waiting time for permanent housing through Family Promise is around 76 days, Bostick said.