Click to watch Rucks Russell's 11 News report

It's been months since the Bellerive Apartments in southwest Houston went up in smoke, but some former tenants say they'll have to pay thousands of dollars to clean their units and salvage what's left of their belongings.

Many of those former residents plan to meet with the housing authority Thursday about what has turned into a stalemate.

You won't hear much English at this community center. But it's easy to understand.

“No money or home, nothing. I just cry,” one of the former residents told 11 News.

Sadness is worn on their faces and seared through the walls of their home. The Bellerive Senior Citizen Apartments were ravaged by fire last November.

There were tears shed that day as well, but nearly four months after the fire, many of the survivors claim they're being hit once more, this time by the Houston Housing Authority.

"I no can pay no money. I no can pay anything no more,” said displaced resident Tan Jongfang.

The money would pay for the asbestos cleanup, which is required to salvage their personal belongings left inside. Housing officials say that could cost up to $3,400 per unit.

Money that the residents are responsible for paying.

We asked the Housing Authority why residents would have to pay the money.

"People would normally have renter's insurance. The fact of the matter is the Housing Authority's insurance does not cover tenant's content,” said Horace Allison, the housing authority’s vice president.

So, people who lived here cannot even pick up many of their belongings.