Dozens of people at the Crystal Lake Apartments found out Tuesday their evacuation will be permanent.
The Macon-Bibb Fire Department still hasn't released information on their inspection of the mid- and high-rise apartment complexes, but a letter posted on the leasing room door says because of the poor conditions, they're terminating the lease agreements of people living there.
The letter goes on to say people can get part of their February rent back if they paid in full. It adds that they will find a time for people to come back into the complex to get their things, but it doesn't give a date.
Sheri Johnson came back Tuesday to get a few things for her kids. Johnson says they're staying at a Days Inn nearby thanks to donations from outside groups.
"I'm thankful for everybody out there helping and paying for the hotel rooms and feeding us, and I'm thankful that the community is coming together to help us get through it. It's just a hardship for the people who live here," said Johnson.
Commissioner Al Tillman says he's asking the public defenders office to take on these cases.
"They're just trying to defer and change the narrative -- the narrative is there have been code violations going on for many years, and you can't blame the resident for anything," said Tillman.