INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 394,944		$ 394,944		$ 387,790
Other assets	57,167		57,167		50,560
Notes payable	(255,884)		(255,884)		(246,546)
Shareholders' equity/partners capital	(333,058)		(333,058)		$ (332,603)
Total revenue	11,947	$ 11,840	23,865	$ 23,769
Loss from continuing operations	(3,916)	(5,966)	855	(11,392)
Net loss	(4,158)	(6,345)	455	(11,954)
Company's proportionate share of loss	7	2	6	(5)
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation		549		549
Notes receivable	31,925	42,719	31,925	42,719
Other assets	69,862	66,407	69,862	66,407
Notes payable	(6,719)	(5,070)	(6,719)	(5,070)
Other liabilities	(27,473)	(33,855)	(27,473)	(33,855)
Shareholders' equity/partners capital	$ (67,595)	$ (70,750)	(67,595)	(70,750)
Total revenue			4,553	7,370
Operating expenses			(923)	(1,479)
Interest expense			(2,965)	(3,771)
Loss from continuing operations			665	2,120
Net loss			665	2,120
Company's proportionate share of loss			$ 6	$ 19