SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014 Segment	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	5
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	$ 68,630	$ 65,098
Gain on involuntary conversion	0	966
TRS senior housing revenue	793	0
TRS senior housing expenses	(693)	0
Other expenses	(612)	(679)
Interest expense	(14,664)	(14,596)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(199)	2,606
Income from discontinued operations	0	610
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(199)	3,216
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	2,025,327		1,996,031
Less accumulated depreciation	(435,317)		(424,288)
Total property owned	1,590,010		1,571,743
Real Estate Held-for-sale	6,508		2,951
Cash and cash equivalents	60,620	93,193	47,267	94,133
Other investments	329		329
Receivables and other assets	117,666		119,458
Development in progress	131,862		104,609
Unimproved land	24,772		22,864
TOTAL ASSETS	1,931,767		1,869,221
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	67,837	65,098
Real estate expenses	27,518	26,640
Gain on involuntary conversion		966
Net operating income	40,319	39,424
TRS senior housing revenue	793
TRS senior housing expenses	(693)
Depreciation/amortization	(17,056)	(19,000)
Administrative, advisory and trustee services	(3,664)	(2,753)
Impairment of real estate investments	(2,320)
Other expenses	(612)	(679)
Interest expense	(14,664)	(14,596)
Interest and other income	691	210
(Loss) income from continuing operations	2,794	2,606
Income from discontinued operations	(2,993)	610
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(199)	3,216
Multi-Family Residential [Member]
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	798,020		753,731
Less accumulated depreciation	(163,937)		(158,100)
Total property owned	634,083		595,631
Multi-Family Residential [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	27,727	24,373
Real estate expenses	12,221	10,845
Gain on involuntary conversion		966
Net operating income	15,506	14,494
Commercial-Office [Member]
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	537,096		544,628
Less accumulated depreciation	(123,902)		(121,892)
Total property owned	413,194		422,736
Commercial-Office [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	18,846	19,315
Real estate expenses	9,327	9,753
Gain on involuntary conversion		0
Net operating income	9,519	9,562
Commercial-Healthcare [Member]
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	525,595		525,028
Less accumulated depreciation	(109,656)		(105,843)
Total property owned	415,939		419,185
Commercial-Healthcare [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	16,298	16,073
Real estate expenses	4,416	4,284
Gain on involuntary conversion		0
Net operating income	11,882	11,789
Commercial-Industrial [Member]
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	50,670		55,375
Less accumulated depreciation	(10,136)		(10,198)
Total property owned	40,534		45,177
Commercial-Industrial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	1,570	2,038
Real estate expenses	450	455
Gain on involuntary conversion		0
Net operating income	1,120	1,583
Commercial-Retail [Member]
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Property owned	113,946		117,269
Less accumulated depreciation	(27,686)		(28,255)
Total property owned	86,260		89,014
Commercial-Retail [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	3,396	3,299
Real estate expenses	1,104	1,303
Gain on involuntary conversion		0
Net operating income	$ 2,292	$ 1,996