Family Almost Homeless

A Penticton family is in a very tough situation.

On June 18th, nearly 50 people were forced out of an apartment complex on Scott Avenue after a fire broke out, causing severe water damage. Most of the residents were able to return home after a few days, but the damage to three units was so severe, three families remained evacuated. Nearly a month later they are no closer to going home then are the evacuated residents of Gabion Court.

Carola von Heyking of the Penticton Women's Centre says the victims of this incident are not receiving nearly enough help from the community.

She says she knows that at least one family with children is close to being forced to live on the street due to lack of affordable housing.

“They are illegally housed somewhere and obviously they can't stay there for long,” says von Heyking.

Sonja Dos, 43, her two children Jared, 13 and Christina, 8, and her fiancé Steven Long, 38, are living with a friend in a one-bedroom apartment. At least until the end of July when they will have to leave.

“After the end of the month, we have no place to go. We are nice people, a family, and we are about to become homeless,” says Dos.

She says she has been trying to find a new home for her family, but it is basically impossible because they are living on disability income.

“I called MLA Bill Barisoff, but all he said was I should contact the affordable housing program in the area. I call them daily, but there just aren't any vacancies in this city. I was told if we move to another city they might be able to help us, but I don't think I should be forced to leave this city just because they can't help me,” says Dos.

She says her family has received no help from the community. Von Heyking says none of the people evacuated from Scott Avenue have received much help from the community, a problem she thinks is due to stereotyping.

“Many of the people who were evacuated live on income assistance and there are a lot of stereotypes associated with that, people are much more reluctant to help. It is a desperate situation and there is a very indifferent attitude being taken by the whole city towards these people,” says von Heyking.

“Because we are on disability, the Government won't allow us to receive money donations in an emergency situation, we can accept gift certificates, but no one has given us any,” says Dos.

She says she thought about renting a campsite in town at the end of the month, but the most affordable campground has a 'no locals' policy that made it impossible.

“I contacted a local campground but they told me that they have had bad experiences renting long term to locals, so now they don't allow it. The person I spoke with eventually said they would consider letting us rent for a week to 'see how it goes,' but they were so rude about it I don't want my kids to be living under that close scrutiny and treated badly just because they had a bad time with other locals,” says Dos.

The fire department says the cause of the blaze is unknown, but believes that smoking materials may have been a factor.

MLA Bill Barisoff could not be reached for comment.

Mean while, residents of Gabion Court on Green Avenue in Penticton are being told it could be as long as two months before they can return home. Provincial Emergency Program benefits will expire on Thursday, leaving evacuees responsible for their own accommodations and food. City council is holding a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to go over the results of a geo-technical review of the bank behind the complex.

Anyone wishing to help the Dos family and other evacuees from Scott Avenue by donating gift certificates for food, clothing or accomadations can contact the women's centre at 493-6822.