Councillor seeks study of potential city residential repair blueprint

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This article was published 31/08/2023 (778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg councillor wants the city to be able to complete some building repairs when owners won’t do so, to prevent vulnerable tenants from being forced to leave their homes.

Coun. Markus Chambers is calling for the City of Winnipeg to study having its crews, or contractors, complete repair work that addresses health, safety and building code concerns when landlords don’t promptly do so by a city deadline. The cost would later be charged to building owners on their property tax bills.

Chambers said he was inspired to push for the changes after an estimated 60-plus residents were forced to leave a West End apartment Aug. 21. “Based on what I saw at the Adanac Apartments, the eviction of those tenants was largely contributed to… neglect of the building, contributing to safety issues and health issues, as well.”

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service issued an order to vacate all suites in the building, after an inspection found numerous fire and safety concerns, including: a “significantly damaged” alarm system; a lack of accessible extinguishers; and large items blocking a fire escape in multiple suites.

If Chambers’s motion is approved, city staff will write a report on the idea and form a committee to further explore the feasibility, legal implications and potential impacts of implementing the changes.

“This potentially could be a warning to landlords that you’ve got to fix your properties, you’ve got to make sure that they’re safe, that they meet building code,” said Chambers.

He noted the city already cuts grass for some residents who fail to do so, then bills them for the work.

Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, said she supports the councillor’s idea and its focus on preventing vulnerable citizens from being forced out of their homes.

“There does need to be a more proactive approach. We should never, ever allow facilities… that are housing people, no matter who they’re housing, from the richest person to the poorest person, to be in such a state of disrepair,” said Willis.

“I think it’s a really great idea… but you also need to enforce it.”

While the Adanac building had at least 38 official renters, Willis said it’s believed more than 60 people were staying inside, including roommates and regular guests.

It’s difficult to say exactly how many of them have now found alternate housing, however, those who went to a reception centre set up to help them find accommodations were largely successful in doing so, Willis added.

She believes intensive case-management services need to be located in buildings with tenants who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy, whose ward contains the Adanac Apartments, has called for similar provincial supports.

She isn’t convinced the idea of having city officials make repairs to ailing apartment buildings is practical.

“I just don’t see it being feasible, that the city would even have the capability to take this on if (the owners) didn’t,” said Gilroy. “The maintenance is not like coming in and mowing somebody’s lawn and putting it on the tax bill. It’s completely different when we’re talking about these issues.”

While he conceded repairs linked to safety standards can be far more complicated and expensive, Chambers stressed keeping vulnerable people in their homes warrants the extra work.

“There’s complication versus the eviction of individuals. We’ve got to figure out a way to make this work so that those who are the most vulnerable, who need housing, have the housing.”

The Riel Community Committee will debate the idea Sept. 6.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga