Eviction notice

By DARREN HANDSCHUH Friday, August 3, 2007 http://vernon.ok.bc.ca/stories.php?id=57613

Residents of a Vernon townhouse complex were shocked to learn their homes are slated for demolition next year. People living at the complex at 1905-32nd St. knew the townhouses had been sold to Interior Health, but did not learn the buildings were going to be torn down until they spoke with The Vernon Daily Courier Thursday morning. “We haven‘t been given any notice of that,” said Lucille Schubert who is on disability and has lived in the townhouse for the past six years. Schubert and next door neighbour Sandra Hinger wonder where they will live. “There‘s no housing out there,” she said. “From what I understand there‘s a shortage of housing.” Currently the vacancy rate in Vernon is less than one per cent.

Joanne Konnert, IH chief operating officer for the Okanagan health area, said the townhouses are slated for demolition in the spring and tenants were being informed of the situation Thursday and today. The land is needed to house construction trailers, equipment and material for the $81-million tower the government plans to add on to Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Work on the project is slated to start next year and be complete by 2010. The new tower will house several departments including a new emergency room, ICU, diagnostic and treatment centre.

IH officially took possession of the townhouses Wednesday and Konnert said information is still being passed on to residents. She said IH will try to inform everyone in the complex by the end of the long weekend. Konnert refused to say how much IH paid for the buildings, saying it was a business matter and not for public record. Those living in the units will have some time to find new homes. “We will need access to the property by spring of next year,” said Konnert. Hinger said being forced out of her home “would be very bad. “It‘s scary to think they are going to do this. Where will we all go.” The complex is located next to a parking lot which is across the road from the hospital. Of the 17 units, 15 are occupied and many of the people living there have children. Schubert said she is surprised the buildings will be torn down because when contacted by Associated Property Management of Kelowna - the company now in charge of the complex – she was told to call them about any needed repairs and they would be taken care of. “Why would they do repairs if they are just going to tear the buildings down?” she asked.

When contacted by The Vernon Daily Courier, an official with Associated Property Management refused comment and referred all questions to IH. Cathy Renkas, with the IH communications department, said IH could not legally tell the tenants about the plans until they took ownership of the property, which they did Aug. 1. The tenants were informed a week ago the building had been sold, but Renkas said that notice came from the previous owners, not IH. IH planned to meet with tenants yesterday afternoon and today to inform them of the plans. “They will be given an information package of what‘s going on and we will answer any questions,” said Renkas. Cam McAlpine, also with the IH communication department, said the residents will have to be out of the complex by the end of February. The residential tenancy act states two months notice must be given, but McAlpine said the residents are getting seven months notice. They will also get the equivalent of four months rent and a $500 per unit moving allowance. IH will also pick up the tab for hydro and natural gas for the units starting Oct. 1. McAlpine said the property manager will also help the tenants relocate by monitoring what is available for rent in the city, they will not directly find the tenants a place to live.