JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Residents living in the Town Center Apartments in Jacksonville have been told they may need to move out soon.

For people like Scott Haber, who has has been living at the apartments for the past year and a half, the sudden change is not something he is prepared for.

“They're saying that a majority of apartments out here are unsafe. Some of them are to the point where people can't even live in them because they're so bad,” Haber said.

Living at Town Center Apartments is one of the few options for Haber and his family.

“I get SSI, my brother gets SSI and SSDI, and between the both of us we only get $1,602 a month, so the most we could afford to pay is $700 a month,” Haber said.

Ron Massey is the deputy city manager for Jacksonville. He says city leaders have been working with the property owners to come up with a plan to help the residents.

“Part of that plan will include the number of the specific units that either need to be immediately repaired or the occupants relocated,” Massey said.

In an effort to save where he lives, Haber has been going around the neighborhood talking to other residents, encouraging them to fight for their homes.

“There's a city council meeting on September 21 at five o'clock, which we're hoping a lot of the tenants come out to that as well to address the city council,” Haber said.

Haber along with other residents also plan to attend the city council meeting to get more answers on why the residents are being told to leave. He said he feels as if what is happening isn't right and not fair.

Massey says the city is just ensuring the residents are living within a safe environment, and even helping provide resources.

“The city has been trying to provide whatever information we have on possible property managers that have affordable housing units. We've also provided some resources, some funding to our private nonprofit organizations that help people avoid homelessness,” Massey explained.

Both Massey and Haber are confident and hopeful this can be resolved to benefit the city as well as the residents.

Massey said leaders for Onslow County have set aside funding for the construction of future affordable housing in the area.

Leaders with Town Center Apartments are working in cooperation with the city, the tenant groups and other agencies to come up with a plan for the residents as soon as possible.