It鈥檚 been three weeks since Hadgraft Wilson Place residents were told they had 48 hours to evacuate from their homes.
The tenants have been placed by building manager Pathways Abilities Society at various hotels in 91大黄鸭 since the move-out deadline of April 2, but after weeks of uncertainty, the residents are looking for a permanent solution.
Monique Saebels and her 89-year-old mother were first moved from Hadgraft to the Ramada, however, with rooms booked for upcoming dates the pair were moved again to the Best Western as another temporary home.
鈥淪he was very sick when we got here,鈥� Saebels said of her mom. 鈥淪he fell in the room because she didn鈥檛 know where she was or which room she was in.鈥�
The stress and uncertainty have taken a mental and physical toll on everyone from the limited-income building.
Hadgraft residents are finding hope in each other, getting together for meals and meetings when possible.
鈥淚t is so much different than when we were at our homes because we saw each other every day and we had different programs we were doing together,鈥� Saebels added. 鈥淎s much as is going on we are still trying to be a close-knit community.鈥�
Construction of the UBC Okanagan Downtown 91大黄鸭 Campus has caused ground shifting since the fall and a small handful of neighbouring buildings started to show cracks in their structures. Hadgraft Wilson Place is the latest of four buildings to be evacuated on an order from the 91大黄鸭 Fire Department.
One of the Hadgraft residents have launched a petition on Change.org, which looks to garner 20,000 signatures in the hopes of stopping the UBCO鈥檚 continued construction.
Saebels alongside Megan Beckmann were excited to hear about the petition as the pair have been encouraging other residents to make their voices heard.
鈥淭hey should be able to stand up for themselves in a way that鈥檚 democratic,鈥� Beckmann stated.
Together, Saebels and Beckmann are calling on the City of 91大黄鸭, UBCO, and UBC Properties Trust to include residents in the conversations about the next steps and find permanent homes for the residents if they can鈥檛 move back into the building.
鈥淚f these entities are allowed to fail in their obligation to the community by neglecting prevention of further damages they should have at least held hotel bookings for the evacuees despite peak tourist season approaching,鈥� Beckmann said.
The City of 91大黄鸭 said it is working with Pathways Abilities Societies on the matter.
The was started by tenant Brandon McCluskey.
READ MORE: Construction resumes on UBCO鈥檚 downtown 91大黄鸭 campus, despite evacuations
READ MORE: 鈥楬otel living isn鈥檛 fun鈥�: Evacuated 91大黄鸭 residents want answers from city, UBCO
