Dirty blankets lined the rails of the Grand Chateau apartments, left behind by residents after power to their homes was shut off by Entergy last week.

The owner of the apartment complex said the building was supposed to be vacant. But when power got disconnected, at least a dozen people still living there were left vulnerable to the heat.

City officials have stepped in to help the residents escape the near triple-digit temperatures by giving them access to a cooling center and, now, temporary housing.

“Nobody needs to live in those circumstances. So I got into action and helped those people get out,” said Ward 2 City Council Member Tina Clay.

She visited the apartment complex Friday night and called the situation heartbreaking. That’s when she stepped up not as a city council member, she said, but as a concerned citizen. 

Other city residents began bringing water and ice for the complex’s residents. The situation became more alarming when one resident had to be transported to the hospital for heat exertion. 

Soon after, efforts began to relocate residents from the dilapidated brick building on West Capitol Street. With the help fo state officials, Jackson Mayor John Horhn opened a cooling center Monday at the Jackson Police Training Academy on St. Charles Street, nearly two miles from the apartment complex, and is available to all Jackson residents. 

The city found money to help relocate displaced residents but it was not immediately clear how much money and where it came from. By Sunday, the complex was empty and residents were split among Matt’s House, a shelter for women and children, and temporary hotel housing. Stewpot Community Services is working alongside Matt’s House to shelter those affected. The nonprofit also donated 25 cots to the city’s cooling center and is helping provide meals.

“These hot days are dangerous for all of us, but especially for those who have no reprieve from the high temperatures,” the Rev. Jill Buckley, executive director of Stewpot, said in a statement from the city. “We are glad to work with the city to provide relief for our neighbors.” 

In a statement, Entergy said the power was disconnected after alleged signs of meter tampering were discovered. Power will remain disconnected until the property owner completes the necessary repairs. It remains uncertain when power will be restored.

The utility added that the complex still had two active accounts at the time of disconnection. 

Grand Chateau property owner Ramesh Ramchandran said eviction notices were handed out in May 2025, and units at the property were supposed to be unoccupied. 

Ramchandran told Mississippi Today that various efforts were made to renovate the property after residents were evicted. He said security issues caused delays. 

According to Ramchandran, the building was supposed to be boarded up and utilities cut off. He said squatters have been a longtime problem and added to the renovation delays.

On Monday, wooden boards covered most of the complex’s windows. The city posted notices on shuttered windows ordering the premises be vacated within 30 days of July 24. 

Ramchandran said he has previously called on the city to help in the renovation process.

Ward 5 City Council Member Vernon Hartley disputed Ramchandran’s claims. He said the city had tried to contact Ramchandran as late as September regarding code violations. Hartley added that the city can only do so much when it comes to matters regarding private property. 

“The City of Jackson cannot be just caretakers for everybody’s circumstances. We want to help in time of need, but that help has to be balanced,” Hartley said. “We’re limited by funding, and we’re also limited by law.”

Hartley added that city officials are trying to identify similar situations across Jackson.