Despite delays to a transition program meant to help residents, the first wave of demolitions could begin as early as this summer.

NORFOLK, Va. — A major redevelopment is coming to the St. Paul's area of Norfolk.

Tidewater Gardens, Young Terrace and Calvert Square will be demolished, which means more than 4,000 families will have to move out.

Many of them, like Lavonne Pledger aren't sure where they'll go.

“I can’t sleep at night sometimes, because I’m worried about my community,” said Pledger.

He works three jobs and still struggles to make ends meet.



“I’m one of those working class people that make just above the brackets and income levels, but I’m somewhere in between where I still live out here but I can’t collect any services.”



The first wave of demolitions will be at Tidewater Gardens. Residents may need to move out as early as June.

The City of Norfolk promised the families a solution before then. It's called the 'People First' project, a plan to find a third party to help the families through the transition to a different housing situation.

The goal was to kick off the program last year, but the program is delayed.



City of Norfolk Councilmember Angelia Williams said the city has put together a group of 20 Department of Services workers to begin working with roughly 187 families whom will face relocation this summer.

"Obviously, we cannot wait until we have a People First lead in place before we start working with individuals," said Williams.



Pledger said time is running out and many are scrambling to find solutions.

“The fact that we’re now just trying to play catch up with human services and development programs to help people transition, it's gonna take a miracle for a lot of people and I don’t think everybody is informed or realizes that,” said Pledger.



Residents currently have two options: they will either have to move into a different housing project or use a voucher to try and find their own private housing.

“A lot of people will have to depend on taking a voucher and moving away and Norfolk has a very tight rental market and that's just not gonna happen for a lot of people,” said Pledger.



“It’s very traumatic and we need to be able to move forward and press on. Having your whole support system in this city and to move away from that can make or break a family between having a place to live and homelessness.”

Pledger said he wants his neighbors to stay informed. He encouraged anyone living in the area to join the Independent Tenants Group. Pledge said it’s a great place to start for anyone who has questions.