SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 44,406	$ 45,608
Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes	18,933	20,036
Net operating income	25,473	25,572
Property management	(1,554)	(1,554)
Casualty gain (loss)	(327)	(641)
Depreciation and amortization	(18,160)	(18,111)
General and administrative expenses	(3,428)	(3,806)
Interest expense	(6,911)	(7,896)
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	(2)
Interest and other income	(2,777)	424
Income (loss) before gain (loss) on sale of real estate and other investments, gain (loss) on litigation settlement, and income (loss) from discontinued operations	(7,684)	(6,014)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate and other investments	0	54
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(7,684)	(5,960)
Segment assets
Property owned	1,687,436		$ 1,643,078
Less accumulated depreciation	(366,307)		(349,122)
Total property owned	1,321,129		1,293,956
Cash and cash equivalents	26,338	23,329	26,579
Restricted cash	2,344	4,819	19,538
Other assets	21,124		34,829
Unimproved land	1,376		1,376
Unimproved land			1,376
Mortgage loans receivable	16,775		16,140
TOTAL ASSETS	1,389,086		1,392,418
Management Service
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Property management	(1,554)	(1,554)
Casualty gain (loss)		(641)
Operating Segments | Multifamily
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Revenue	43,331	38,739
Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes	18,578	16,770
Net operating income	24,753	21,969
Segment assets
Property owned	1,653,829		1,609,471
Less accumulated depreciation	(356,045)		(339,272)
Total property owned	1,297,784		1,270,199
Operating Segments | All Other
Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract]
Revenue	1,075	6,869
Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes	355	3,266
Net operating income	720	$ 3,603
Segment assets
Property owned	33,607		33,607
Less accumulated depreciation	(10,262)		(9,850)
Total property owned	$ 23,345		$ 23,757