THE BATTLEFORDS - The new chair of Battlefords Housing Authority board is requesting the public’s patience as they deal with issues at properties in the city.
“The main thing I would like people to know is we are aware and we are working on it, and really digging into some things to get to the bottom of everything,” said Amber Stewart, the new board chair with Battlefords Housing Authority.
Stewart, who last fall ran was the NDP candidate in The Battlefords in the provincial election, was appointed to the BHA board in June — one of a number of changes to its directors. Also listed as being on the board this term are Dave Gubbe (Vice-Chairperson), Marlene Bugler, Bill Hall and Chad Ku.
Their appointments come in the wake of some negative reports over the last couple of years about deteriorating living conditions at Valleyview Towers. A letter writing campaign from tenants at Valleyview Tower II has alleged criminal activity, disorderly conduct, smoking, sexual assault and other issues at the building.
This year, two of the tenants filed claims against Battlefords Housing Authority with the Office of Residential Tenancies and were awarded a portion of their rent back; one of those cases is being appealed by BHA.
Stewart tells the News-Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca that the new board is well aware of the reports about issues at Valleyview Towers.
“We are aware of all the negative stuff in the press. I mean we see it. We definitely talk about it at length to get to the bottom of it.”
At the moment, the new board members are just getting familiar with their roles and with the issues.
“Myself and other board members, we’ve got a fairly new board in place right now so I think that is good to have some fresh eyes on the board, but we’re also thankful for some of our board members that have been there for many years so they can give a little bit of background on things.”
Stewart said that right now they are working on “talking to the tenants and getting a bigger picture of what life is like for folks living in North Battleford housing units. We’re working with regional housing and Sask Housing to come up with a plan to address the issues.”
She said Valleyview Towers has been around for a really long time and said the board wants people to feel safe living there, and pledged to “do whatever it is that we need to do to ensure that happens.”
“What we would just ask the public is to give us a little bit of time. I’ve been on this board for three or four months, so there is learning that we have to do and give us time to really dig into the issues. We were aware that there’s issues, and we are working on it.”
Stewart added that some of the decisions that are being made are not at the local board level. She noted decisions are handed down from Sask Housing and regional housing, and that they are working with both of those organizations to have a better flow of information.
Stewart could not share any details about specific individuals or cases, or on the management at Battlefords Housing Authority. However, she did say the board is interested in more transparency.
Stewart acknowledged that one thing the board has considered is possibly issuing a public statement to the media about the specific cases.
“Unfortunately, some of the stuff that is out there started before most of us were on the board, so we’re really doing our due diligence to make sure that we have all the information before we put something out to the media about it… we don’t want to be irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, A GoFundMe page has been set up to establish a legal defence fund for tenants of Valleyview Towers II.
In the GoFundMe page text, it is stated by the tenant whose case is being appealed, “In the past three years, this housing authority has turned from being an advocate for the poor, disadvantaged and elderly, to putting the safety and security of the senior residents at risk of physical and frightening events from the party lifestyles of the various tenants."
The tenant adds, "The Housing Authority would rather appeal than accept the ORT’s decisions and make lasting policy decisions that protect their senior residents rather than placing vulnerable seniors at risk of physical, mental and emotional harm.”
