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A decade of destructive leaks at the downtown Marina Estates housing complex has led its strata council to adopt emergency renovation measures, but the cost to each unit may cause some residents – senior citizens among them – to lose their home.
“I would say definitely people are going to lose their homes here,” said strata president Hazel Giese.
The situation has become dire because the province has suspended paying out interest free loans to leaky condo owners in the wake of economic downturn. Strata council members have joined a chorus of criticism throughout the province to say the government has a responsibility to help the homeowners.
They are sounding the alarm, appealing to District of Squamish mayor and council, and to regional MLA Joan McIntyre to pressure the province to resume its Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) loans program.
Since the leaky condo crisis hit in the 1990s, the program of interest free loans helped property owners fix damage specific to the shoddy building practices that led to such leaks.
Applications for Marina Estates loans were submitted in April, but the strata was told the province is not paying out for applications submitted after November. The HPO said the funding source – levies on residential construction projects – has dried up in the economic downturn.
That means Marina Estates residents must come up with between $50,000 and $90,000 on their own – and more than a few have no means of getting that sum, said strata council member Hilda Rizun.
Damage is so extensive that some parts of the complex’s three buildings have become hazardous to health and safety, said Rizun.
“The damage is of such significance that it’s in dire need of not just repairing,” she said. “All three buildings have to be redone to address insurance standards.”
The strata corporation is legally bound to ensure the work gets done and repaid, so liens may have to be placed on some units and foreclosure may be necessary.
“It’s tragic,” said Giese. “This was a good way to enable people to help themselves, and it’s gone.”
Giese’s husband Jack Giese agreed.
“There no winner in throwing people out of their homes,” he said, adding some seniors on pensions receive little to live on. “If you own your own home, you can live on $1,200 a month. If you have payments, you’re toast.”
Rizun said the province can be assured it will get it’s money back since property values will rise after repairs are done.
She said she’s disappointed she hasn’t heard back from Squamish mayor and council, although she did speak with Coun. Corinne Lonsdale in person.
“We’re looking for political pressure,” said Rizun.
Mayor Greg Gardner said council received emails from the residents approximately two weeks ago and hasn’t had an opportunity to consider it yet. He said he’s unsure how council will proceed, by added it isn’t unusual for the elected officials to appeal to higher levels of government on behalf of residents.
“That’s an option open to council if we so choose,” said Gardner.
During an interview with The Chief on Friday (June 26), Giese received a call from McIntyre’s office informing her that Housing Minister Rich Coleman is petitioning the government, but he hadn’t heard back. McIntyre’s message to residents was to remember the program is “not halted.” Jack Giese was not comforted.
“It’s not good enough to say ‘We’re just accepting applicants,’” he said. “That is perhaps giving out really a lot of false hope.”
Rizun said she’s sceptical since applications in November are just being paid out now, so how long will it be for local loans to arrive? She also said she fears the program’s criteria will be much more restricted when it resumes.
McIntyre’s staffer suggested the strata make a case for special dispensation since senior citizens are facing possible homelessness. However Hazel Giese said they’re not a special case, the same dire situation is happening all over the province.
This week, NDP leader Carole James came to the defense of condo residents facing similar circumstances in her riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill.
“This is just another example of the B.C. Liberals’ failure to tell British Columbians the true story about what to expect after the election,” said James.
