James Bay tenants still looking for housing after fatal fire
Tenants displaced by a James Bay apartment fire are banding together in an increasingly desperate search for affordable housing.
“There’s been a lot of difficulties that we’ve faced as a result of the fire and being displaced so suddenly,” says former Village Green Apartments tenant Jason Rempel.
The group figures about 10 people are still looking for more permanent accommodations after the deadly fire forced them from their homes at 118 Menzies Street.
While some of them are taking legal action over a dispute related to the habitability of the building in hopes of returning soon, the landlord says the building isn’t safe and those affected will need to find somewhere to live for at least 10 months to allow for restoration work.
“The fact that the housing search is coming up with no leads is making things that much more difficult and adds to the uncertainty and anxiety that we’re all facing,” says Rempel.
Every person’s situation is different. Rempel is a hospitality worker who says income has been tight with fewer tourists, so he can’t afford to pay more than $900 a month.
He’s on the last few days of a temporary stay through the help of strangers in Oak Bay.
Rempel says he’s also helping his 71-year-old neighbour who doesn’t want to be identified. He says she doesn’t have family in Canada and calls to affordable housing agencies are coming up empty.
“My main concerns are with her right now,” he says. “She’s had a very difficult time.”
Another displaced tenant, Neil Kingswell, is also a senior on a fixed income.
He’s been staying in a hotel with the help of the province, which has been assisting some people on income assistance and disability assistance.
Kingswell’s stay is supposed to be running out in a few days, but the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction says the stay can be extended if other housing options aren’t available.
“I would like to know that I’m not going to have to be concerned about leaving a place on a certain date,” said Kingwell in an interview prior to the province’s response to CTV News. “You know when you walk into a place and think: ‘I’m home?’ I don’t have that anymore.”
The tenants say they’re grateful for the support they’ve received so far – and are hopeful a lead on something more permanent will come soon, as they rally to support each other in some newfound friendships.
Unfortunately, their plight is shared with others. Greater Victoria’s tight rental market hasn’t made their search easy.
“Just today, I’ve seen about 15 new listings. Everything is about $1,800 to 2,000,” Rempel said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Leonardo DiCaprio criticizes Ottawa over B.C. salmon farms
Salmon farms have long been a point of contention between environmentalists and fish farmers in British Columbia, but a much bigger net is now being cast on the topic.
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Manhattan DA suggests Donald Trump violated gag order with post about daughter of hush-money trial judge
Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.