Tentative sale worries Lions Place residents
The tentative sale of Lions Place, a large non-profit housing complex near downtown Winnipeg has left some seniors who live there shocked and frustrated.
Lions Housing Centres accepted an offer made by an unnamed Alberta-based firm which put in a bid to buy the 287-unit building.
While the sale hasn't been finalized, residents are concerned the potential deal could result in rent increases.
Gerald Brown, 85, has called Lions Place home for the past eight years.
On Friday he and other residents received a notice of entry letter indicating management would be entering people's units for a quick inspection but that's not all.
At the bottom of the letter, tenants were told Lions Housing Centres has accepted an offer from a firm with its head offices in Alberta to purchase the complex.
"It's frustrating,” Brown said. “The people in the building have been bombarding me all weekend about what are we going to do, where are we going to go."
Lions Housing Centres isn't naming the firm nor has it indicated residents will have to find another location to live.
Gilles Verrier, executive director of Lions Housing Centres, confirmed to CTV News Winnipeg it's accepted an offer and if the buyer is satisfied after a review, the sale could be completed by the end of January.
Residents were informed back in July the building was being put up for sale and have been calling on the Manitoba government to intervene.
"We are working to ensure that the seniors at Lions Place continue to pay the same rent that they're doing right now,” Rochelle Squires, Families Minister, told reporters following question period in the Manitoba Legislature.
Squires didn't say exactly how she plans to do that.
Verrier questioned what power the government has to freeze rents at the building, suggesting it would set a precedent for other rental buildings.
Some Lions Place residents are calling for a five-year moratorium on any increases.
"We certainly understand that there is a lot of uncertainty and with that uncertainty comes a lot of anxiety for the seniors,” Squires said. “And for that, I am greatly troubled and very concerned about."
Verrier said Lions Housing Centres has spent $3.6 million upgrading the building over the past three years and can no longer afford to own it.
He said at $844 per month rents have remained too low for too long to achieve the long-term viability of the building.
Denis Corneau moved in two months ago. While he doesn't want to pay more he understands rents may have to be increased eventually.
"I think it's good,” Corneau said. “I think it's overdue."
Brown said people aren't opposed to a smaller rent hike but with many low to moderate-income renters and very little information on the potential buyer and their plans for the complex, he said residents are fearing the worst.
"There’s 250 people here,” Brown said. “If they're turned out by a new owner who comes in and says we're going to clear the place and renovate it and then you can come back at whatever the rent will be these people aren't going to have any place to go."
Lions Housing Centres said Lions Place requires millions of dollars over the next three years to replace windows, renovate suites from their 37-year-old condition and replace heat pumps.
The current owners also say there are plumbing, mechanical and roofing issues.
Squires said it's unfortunate Lions Housing Centres didn't approach the province before making decisions about the future of Lions Place which previously had an operating agreement with the federal and provincial governments.
Lions Housing Centres said it hasn't been included in any discussions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.