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HIGH POINT — Residents at High Point’s Wesleyan Homes are looking for new homes as the federally assisted apartments for the elderly prepare to shut down next year.

The building’s 80 residents were initially given between four and six months to vacate after owner Providence Place announced it would sell the property to High Point University.

But when the university heard that elderly residents were being rushed out, it refused to take the building until everyone had found a new home.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also stepped in, informing Providence Place that it was required to give the residents at least 12 months after announcing the sale. HUD is now working with the residents to get individual rent vouchers they can use at other apartment buildings.

Barbara Cashman thought her 92-year-old mother, Nina, would live at Wesleyan Homes for the rest of her life. After 24 years there, her mother thinks of it as home.

“We’re looking around now for another place,” Cashman said. “Some of the places we’ve looked have agreed to waive application fees, which has been great.”

Providence Place CEO Tom Higgins met with residents this week in a closed meeting she described as “tense,” Cashman said.

She said Higgins admitted his company would have to follow HUD guidelines and give the residents until October 19, 2010, to move out of their apartments.

Higgins did not return phone calls Friday, but according to a letter he sent to residents, the company will allow residents to continue living at Wesleyan Homes.

“As an owner, we will honor your right as a tenant to remain at the property on this basis provided that there is no cause for eviction under federal, state or local law,” Higgins wrote in the letter.

In the letter, Higgins also wrote that HUD will require Providence Place to confirm its decision to terminate its HUD contract and sell the property four months before the sale. If the company’s plans change and the property is not sold, the contract could continue, Higgins wrote.

Providence Place also has promised the residents, most of whom are on a fixed income, financial help with moving. Each resident will get $110 for automobile expenses while looking for new apartments and $300 for moving expenses , according to a document received by residents.

Steve Cashman , Nina’s son, said he’s happy his mother will now have the time and means to find a new place — provided HUD can get her into its voucher program on time.

“Providence Place hasn’t made any kind of apology for the stress they’ve put everyone through, or for trying to get people out earlier than they actually had to leave,” Cashman said. “But they do seem to be doing what they have to do now, and hopefully, it’s all going to work out.”

Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or joe.killian@news-record.com