Windsor helping tenants evacuated from unsafe apartment building

Property owners, through their management company, are working with local contractors to make repairs to an apartment building in Windsor while about 40 displaced tenants live in shelters.

Building officials deemed the 120-unit property at 1616 Ouellette Ave. unsafe for occupancy due to lack of reliable heat, electricity and functioning safety measures.

The property owners, through their management company, are working with local contractors to make necessary repairs.

“Electrical and heating contractors will be on site to determine how long it will take to fix the issues, which will help determine how long residents may be out,” states a city news release on Tuesday.

City staff and the Canadian Red Cross will provide emergency shelter at the John Atkinson Memorial Community Centre.

Property co-owner Dr. Verinder Malhotra is reported in the Windsor Star saying a new boiler would cost about $600,000.

“The electrical system needs to be upgraded as well. Everybody else is saying that we need to replace the boiler and it’s going to take some time, maybe two to three months,” he said in the Star.

According to the newspaper report, 1616 Ouellette Ave, has not had working heat for the fall season, despite a city by-law that requires landlords to provide heat by Sept. 15.

Donations have poured in, after 1616 Ouellette Ave. was evacuated last week and extra items will be sent to the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4).

“The outpouring from the community has been really incredible”, said Commissioner of Human and Health Services Andrew Daher. “The donations are making a huge difference to the comfort of the residents having to rely on the temporary emergency shelter at Atkinson Memorial Community Centre”.

City staff, Housing Information Services, and other community partners are working with displaced residents to determine their housing needs, complete the necessary applications for housing, and seek affordable housing options that are currently available in the community. This includes helping people apply to the Central Housing Registry for social housing and looking at supportive and affordable housing options in the private rental market.

Landlords in Windsor or Essex County who have affordable 1 and 2 bedroom units available for rent, are encouraged to contact Housing Information Services at (519) 254-4824 and speak with a Landlord Liaison.

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