Quantcast
Affordable housing sought as many left homeless by fire – Metro US

Affordable housing sought as many left homeless by fire

Canadian Red Cross officials are seeking help from landlords and property managers in the Halifax-Dartmouth area to find accommodations for people now left permanently homeless after an apartment fire last week.

Two-thirds of tenants were told yesterday afternoon they will not be able to return to the 74-unit building on Roleika Drive in Dartmouth due to extensive damage caused from the blaze, according to a release issued by the Atlantic Canada branch of the Red Cross.

About 15 tenants have been staying at a shelter at the East Dartmouth Community Centre since Thursday’s fire.

“Considering they have been out of their apartments for four days living in a gymnasium, spirits are pretty good,” Red Cross spokesman Dan Bedell said of those at the shelter. “But its not particularly comfortable and these people do have health issues and mobility issues which makes it far from ideal.”

Bedell said the need is mostly for one-bedroom apartments, ideally in the same price range at $525 including heat, hot water and parking.

Any landlords looking to assist and with spaces available are asked to call 496-0103.

Close to 100 tenants were living in the building. A technical team with the building’s insurance adjusters determined yesterday only about 25 apartments can now be safely reoccupied.

The cause of the early evening fire is still under investigation.