Housing Minister Peter Bjornson has confirmed the province will open more seniors’ housing in Flin Flon, but he mentioned no plans to replace low-income units lost two years ago.
In a letter last week, Bjornson said the seniors’ housing will most likely consist of a new or refurbished apartment complex at
4 Hemlock Drive.
That’s the provincially owned building that housed 14 suites for low-income families until it was vacated in 2012 due to moisture problems.
In a letter to housing critic Bonnie Mitchelson, Bjornson wrote that after problems with
4 Hemlock were discovered, the community, through “informal consultations,” expressed a need for more seniors’ housing.
Review
Bjornson said the province will hire a consultant to review an engineering report on
4 Hemlock, inspect the facility and provide conceptual alternatives for rebuilding, replacing or renovating up to 20 suites for seniors.
A consultant contract will be tendered within the next few weeks, with the construction start date hinging on what the consultant says, Bjornson added.
“Northern Housing Operations staff will work closely with the community of Flin Flon and provide project updates on the pre-development process, as well as share the timeframe for construction to begin,” concluded Bjornson, whose letter was shared with The Reminder by Mitchelson.
In a previous letter to Bjornson, Mitchelson asked whether the 14 low-income units would be replaced as provincial officials had previously pledged.
Bjornson said only that the “new or refurbished apartment complex” at 4 Hemlock would be for seniors, reflecting “the community’s and [Manitoba] Housing’s understanding of highest need.”
In 2012 and 2013, provincial officials told The Reminder the low-income units of 4 Hemlock Drive would be rebuilt either at the same site or an alternate location such as Aspen Grove.
At one point officials said they hoped to begin construction in the fall of 2013, but that never materialized.
As a follow-up, The Reminder recently asked the province whether a new government housing facility would indeed proceed. This time, no promises were mentioned.
Mitchelson wrote her letter to Bjornson after The Reminder asked her whether she had knowledge of the province’s plans for the low-income units.
After its closure, all tenants of 4 Hemlock were transferred to other public housing units.
