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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.