Winnipeg seniors waiting 2 years for Manitoba Housing to repair leaky roof

It was in August when 95-year-old Hermina Steinbrecher first discovered a problem with her bachelor apartment at the Rotary Villa on Hudson Street in Fort Garry.

She noticed water on the floor of her pantry shortly after getting home from hospital. She spent more than a week there being treated for an allergic reaction to medication.

Home care had been in that day when she spotted the water, so Steinbrecher assumed the worker spilled something. She cleaned it up and didn't think much of it. Until she found a flood in her living room a few days later. 

"Apparently the water is coming in for longer than I realized," said Steinbrecher. "Because when we moved the stuff out, the tiles are lifting you know, and the box was stuck, and everything was wet."

Steinbrecher then phoned her daughter. 

"A neighbour of hers actually came down and helped mom clean the closet out so we got a 94 year old and a 95 year old cleaning out the closet," Marlies Nix recalled.

Nix called management to complain and was told the flood was likely caused by a leaky roof, that's needed to be replaced. It's been that way since 2013, she said.

"Something has got to be done. I mean it can't be left the way it is," said Nix.

After about a week, Nix said maintenance came to Steinbrecher's suite to open up the wall and discovered mould. It was removed and a sample was sent for testing.

Nix said the results showed the mould was not "at a dangerous level" but could pose problems for people with compromised immune systems.

"These people are vulnerable, I mean there's a lot of really elderly people in here, and yes it is independent living but we expect that the building is in half decent shape," said Nix.

The building is owned by Manitoba Housing but is managed by the Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Fort Garry.

Board Chairman Ron Miller said six out of the 123 suites in the low-income assisted living facility have been sealed off and can't be rented because of the water and mould issues.

"We've had issues with Manitoba Housing over the years, and you know, their lack of response for you know fixing things on a timely manner," said Miller. 

Miller said Rotary members have been "hounding" the province to replace the roof since February and were told by Manitoba Housing work would begin on the project this past the spring. Miller said that didn't happen.

"They just don't seem to want to respond, so in August we really put the pressure on them," said Miller. "They came and patched the roof but now their e-mails are saying that they're going to tender this thing some time in November maybe start the work in  December."

Miller is doubtful the roof will get replaced in the winter and believes the work won't begin until the spring of 2016. 

"I'm not sure what housing is doing from a capital point because we're sort of helpless because they control the money," said Miller.  "I mean the roof could be about a million bucks to replace and we don't have a million bucks."

Miller said Rotary board members plan to meet with the minister of housing and development in hopes of getting the roof fixed quickly. If not, he said the club will consider pulling out of the building before allowing the Rotary's name and reputation to be tarnished.

A spokesperson for Manitoba housing and community development said work was initially scheduled to be done this year but a building assessment showed more significant upgrades than expected and additional design work was required.

In addition to replacing the roof, the spokesperson said the province also plans to replace the air handling unit and windows, as well as make improvements to the parking lot, exterior common areas, walkways and exterior lighting. 

"It's impractical to do the roof repairs before all of the other work, because it would essentially need to be redone," the spokesperson said. 

"The department is currently reviewing final design plans for the project.  Patch repairs have been done but we recognize this is not a long-term solution.  Until the work is complete, we have agreed to leave six units vacant."

Waiting that long for repairs, doesn't sit well with Steinbrecher.

"It can't be that they can't have it in the budget for over a two- year period, come on, this is taking way too long," Steinbrecher said.

"I feel uncomfortable, lets put it this way, not as secure as I used to. That's for sure, and the mess that I have."