'It's a worry': Lions Place launches search for new owners
Seniors residing in a downtown Winnipeg independent living complex are facing what some feel is an uncertain future.
The head of Lions Housing Centres said Friday a search is underway for new ownership of Lions Place.
Shirley Ducharme, a retired health care aide, lives in Lions Place because she enjoys it and finds the rent affordable at $844 per month - something she worries may eventually change.
“The Lions basically told us they’re between a rock and a hard place,” Ducharme said. “They have no choice. They have to sell.
“The biggest worry is the rent going up.”
Multiple residents told CTV News about three weeks ago Lions Housing Centres held a meeting where they informed the building is being put up for sale.
Gilles Verrier, executive director of Lions Housing Centres, said while $3.6 million has been spent recently on improvements, the building is in need of more upgrades which he said the organization can’t afford.
He said it’s because monthly rents have been kept too low for too long and reserve funds have expired.
“The search is underway for new ownership to take over Lions Place,” Verrier said in a phone call.
The 287-unit building features amenities such as a greenhouse, gym and restaurant.
Susan Leggett has lived at Lions Place nearly three years in a unit that rents for $941 per month but she’s concerned that under new ownership costs could go up.
“It’s difficult for some seniors that don’t bring that much in, just their pension,” Leggett said. “So it’s a worry.”
Barbara Hitching said she has mixed feelings about new ownership.
“I know they’ve been doing a lot of work and renovation so I can understand them wanting to pass it on to somebody else,” Hitching said. “But I hope they pass it on to somebody that appreciates the building.”
Ducharme lives with congestive heart failure and requires supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day. Health conditions she said make it difficult to find a safe and affordable place to live that’s close to everything.
She just hopes she can afford to stay.
“For me, it’s not knowing where I could go after this,” Ducharme said. “I don’t know where I’d go.”
Lions Place recently removed the requirement for residents to be 55 and over. While it’s currently accepting tenants of all ages, the vast majority are still over 55.
Manitoba Housing no longer provides operating funding to Lions Place as a project operating agreement has expired.
A rent subsidy was extended two years in 2018 but it’s no longer in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.