Memphis Foster Care Housing Sparks Renewed Concerns at Vance Flats
Residents at Vance Flats, a downtown Memphis apartment complex providing transitional housing for foster children, are once again voicing grave concerns over persistent issues. Despite WREG’s previous reports in 2023 and 2024 highlighting disruptions, a tenant states that living conditions have not improved, citing unsupervised youth, alleged attacks, and an unsustainable environment.
Trouble at Vance Flats: A Recurring Nightmare for Residents
The apartment complex became transitional housing for children in foster care following a partnership between the Church of God in Christ and the Tennessee Department of Children Services (DCS). This initiative was launched after revelations that children in DCS custody were, alarmingly, sleeping on the floors of state offices. While the intention was to provide better accommodations, residents argue the reality is far from ideal.
Unsupervised Youth and Escalating Problems
According to an anonymous tenant, the apartment complex is plagued by problems stemming from unsupervised children and teens. Reports include instances of children fighting each other, attempting to run away, and generally being unruly. More disturbingly, the resident alleges drug use and other broken rules among the youth. This week alone, a neighbor reportedly called the police after being attacked by a child in DCS custody.
The resident further highlighted severe overcrowding, questioning the double standard: “If I were to have children in a home like this — five, six, seven, sometimes more children in a one-bedroom apartment where children are sleeping in the closet — the state would come and get those children from me and put them in the state care, but they’re doing the exact same thing.” The overall living environment is also criticized, with complaints about “trash accumulation” and the general “filth” on the property.
A History of Unanswered Calls
These aren’t new concerns. WREG previously reported in 2023 that police were called “dozens of times” to the complex due to fighting, runaways, and simple assaults. Memphis Police confirmed responding to similar calls in 2024. The anonymous tenant at Vance Flats claims to have contacted the state, property manager, and the Church of God in Christ about the ongoing issues, but says no significant action has been taken.
Community Takes a Stand: Call for Action
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, the tenant is organizing a town hall meeting. The aim is to rally community support and demand that leaders remove the DCS children from the property. They also seek a direct meeting with the property manager, DCS, and the Church of God in Christ to address the urgent situation.
What This Means for Memphis
This ongoing situation at Vance Flats underscores a critical challenge in Memphis: providing safe, stable, and appropriately supervised housing for foster children, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of surrounding residents. The comparison between the stated goals and the experienced reality is stark:
| Aspect | Initial DCS Goal (Intention) | Current Resident Experience (Reality) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Housing | Provide transitional housing, avoid children sleeping in offices. | Conditions not improved, leading to further trauma and disruption. |
| Child Welfare | Safe, supervised environment for foster children. | Overcrowding (5-7+ in one bedroom), sleeping in closets, drug use, lack of supervision. |
| Community Impact | Seamless integration and support for children. | Daily police calls for fights, runaways, assaults; neighbor attacks, trash issues. |
| Accountability | Effective partnership and management by DCS & COGIC. | Complaints ignored; perceived inaction from state, property management, and church. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Vance Flats?
Vance Flats is a downtown Memphis apartment complex that provides transitional housing for children in foster care, operated through a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Children Services (DCS) and the Church of God in Christ. - Why was this housing arrangement created?
It was established to address the problem of foster children in DCS custody having to sleep on the floors of state offices due to a lack of proper accommodation. - What are the main problems reported by residents?
Residents report unsupervised teens, frequent fighting, children attempting to run away, drug use, alleged attacks on neighbors, severe overcrowding (multiple children in one-bedroom apartments, some sleeping in closets), and general filth on the property. - Have authorities been informed about these issues?
Yes, residents claim to have contacted the state, property manager, and the Church of God in Christ, with WREG also having reported on similar issues in 2023 and 2024, noting dozens of police calls. - What action is the community taking?
A tenant is organizing a town hall meeting to demand the removal of DCS children from the property and to facilitate a meeting with all involved stakeholders.
As WREG awaits responses from DCS and the Church of God in Christ, the Memphis community watches closely, hoping for a swift and humane resolution that prioritizes both the safety of the children and the well-being of the Vance Flats residents.
Memphis Foster Housing Problems Persist at Vance Flats
