TAMPA, Fla. — It's been a month since tenants from Holly Court Apartments were displaced by issues with the property's well water system.

While they may soon be able to move back in, more than a few say the situation has convinced them to go somewhere else.

Victoria Lee, her daughter Mya and two grandchildren have been staying a hotel. 

The space is tight since the family crammed their entire apartment into one bedroom. 

But it's a temporary inconvenience that Lee said she prefers over the sandy water she dealt with for months at Holly Court.

"I can clean the bottles for the baby and not have to worry," she said. 

Both of Lee's grandchildren have Eczema, and she said their skin condition has also improved since moving out of Holly Court. 

"It's no longer four different colors," Lee's daughter Mya said of her youngest daughter's skin. 

The University Area Community Development Corporation stepped in to temporarily house tenants at the hotel, including 68-year-old Ernest Nelson. 

On Tuesdays, groceries are delivered to the families by the East Tampa Business and Civic Association, Inc.

"If it wasn't for them I don't know where we would be," said Nelson, who is moving to a new place with his brother once it becomes available. 

"It's not handicap accessible, but I could manage," he said. 

Lee said the ordeal has helped their community grow closer. 

"Even though we're not in the neighborhood, we still help each other out as neighbors," she said. 

Anastacia, a mother of two with another baby on the way, said she appreciates the feeling of community that still exists. 

"I'm not alone," she said. "I thought I was."

She said she's trying to find another home where she can get settled before her due date. 

Residents will have the opportunity to return to Holly Court Apartments at the same rental rate once the property is disconnected from well water and connected to Tampa's sewer and water lines. However, some like the Lee family have opted out of that option.

"It makes no sense for me to have to move back there and pay them money to do the things that I should've been able to do when I first moved over there," Lee said.  

Initially, she said her family was only given one month to leave the property.

"They didn't realized the chain effect when they did all of this — that it was going to create such a chain effect of, like, kids are going to have to change schools," Lee said. "Parents still have to go to work — it creates a further commute."

The Lee family secured housing at another University Area Community Development Corporation property.

"It's a relief," Lee said. "I'm just glad to be done with this whole situation."

According to the University Area CDC, the potable water project at Holly Court Apartments should be completed by early April. 

A $5 Million grant from the American Rescue Plan will help fund the project.