'No eviction notices, nothing': Tenants of Winnipeg apartment left homeless after rooms cleared out
Residents at a College Avenue apartment could be left homeless after being evicted earlier this week.
People at 285 College Ave. came home to find their suites were completely cleared out – their furniture, clothes, and personal belongings thrown away.
"Nothing in my house at all," said Megan Levasseur, who was a tenant in the building.
The last time she was in her apartment was a couple of days ago and there was nothing in sight.
"It was completely empty, like completely empty. And my stuff was in the back in a garbage pile."
A sign posted on the door to the building said, "As per directed by new management, note that all building and apartment deadbolt/lock will be changed within 24 hours."
Movers showed up Tuesday to help pack up the belongings that were left behind – Levasseur still trying to figure out what is going on.
"We weren't notified or anything like that. No eviction notices, nothing."
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said crews inspected the building last week and discovered some fire safety systems weren't operational. They ordered the exits to remain clear and implemented a fire watch over the weekend.
"The WFPS did not order a vacate of the building at any time. It is our understanding that the owner made the decision to vacate the property," a city spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Levasseur said this isn't her first time facing homelessness. When she wasn't living in a tent, Levasseur found housing through St. Boniface Street Links. She moved into the College Avenue building earlier this year with the organization's help.
"It's very frustrating you know? It's hard to go back to being homeless again and then start over again."
Marion Willis, the founder of St. Boniface Street Links, is also extremely frustrated.
"It was the worst violation of human rights that I've experienced in all the years that I've been doing this," said Willis.
She said the evictions can be traumatic and reverse positive steps people take to turn their lives around.
"This really is a trigger that creates that spiral right back down to where you started."
For Levasseur, that means sleeping on the street, or struggling to find shelter space.
"We're kind of stuck living nowhere now. What are we going to do? I have no idea yet," she said.
Willis said she is working to find housing for the displaced residents.
CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to the owner of the building for comment but hasn't been able to get a hold of them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7013080.1724515039!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Labour board orders rail workers back on the job as Teamsters vow to appeal
Freight trains must start rolling again first thing Monday morning, the federal labour board ruled Saturday as it ordered thousands of rail employees back to work to end a bitter contract dispute that shut down the country's two major railways.
Commercial truck plunges off bridge in B.C. Interior, driver unaccounted for, RCMP say
The driver of a semi truck and trailer that plunged off of a bridge in the B.C. Interior Saturday morning has not been located, according to police.
'Bank investigator' fraud spreading in eastern Ontario: What it is and how to avoid it
Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are warning people about fraudsters impersonating major Canadian banks.
Brother-in-law of man allegedly swarmed by teens says family reeling from loss
The brother-in-law of a homeless Toronto man who died after police allege he was attacked by a group of teen girls says his entire family is reeling from the loss.
Chappell Roan's comments about invasive fans show that we never really know our favourite celebrities
Sudden fame has weighed heavy on Chappell Roan, but her discomfort became untenable earlier this week. She shared two videos on TikTok in which she criticized invasive fans who have followed her around, 'stalked' her family and demanded photos or hugs in public despite Roan's resistance.
'We have won': Kenyan man granted temporary residency day before deportation order
One day before he was set to be deported to Kenya, Charles Mwangi was granted temporary residency.
Major Canadian rental company warns tenants that hackers may have their banking info
One of western Canada’s largest rental property companies is warning tenants about a cyber security breach it says was discovered earlier this year.
German police arrest suspect in stabbing rampage, official says
A man suspected of a stabbing rampage in the western German town of Solingen has been taken into police custody, a state official told German television on Saturday, some 24 hours after the attack that killed three people.
OPINION The dark side of frugality: When saving becomes an obsession
Is being frugal pushing you over the edge? Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains some of the downsides of obsessive frugality and offers some tips on how to balance frugal living with living your daily life.