REGINA - Time is ticking for residents of the Glen Elm Mobile Home Community.
Delegates presented in front of city council, asking for any possible aid.
"Can you please help us stay in our homes a little longer?" said Rachel Torrie, a resident of the Glen Elm Mobile Home Community.
Some residents are required to leave by the end of April, while the majority must leave by June 30th.
Tenants were given an eviction notice by their landlord in early Jan., citing water and sewage infrastructure issues as the reason.
Delegates pointed out that costs for rent increased, which they thought was going towards addressing infrastructure issues.
"When I purchased my home in 2012, my lot fee was $520 per month, and yet today, I pay $845," said Randall Edge, a member of the Glen Elm Retirement Community Residents Association.
Edge noted extensive repairs were made to the water system last year.
Other residents were firm on staying at the trailer.
"I am not leaving. I will die in my home," said Janice Hedley of the Glen Elm Trailer Court Association.
She noted the property owners said there was a trailer court available in North Battleford, but the cost exceeded the $10,000 Glen Elm was offering.
Hedley said that none of the residents want to move far away from their families.
"We live in Regina, we want to be in Regina," she said.
Hands-tied
As noted in the motion, "tenant and landlord relations on private property is not under municipal authority, rather provincial authority."
Residents approached the province on Monday with little help.
Torrie noted that the Ministry of Social Service (MSS) directed them to their programs. However, since a large number of the tenants are considered homeowners, they can't apply for social programs.
As for the city, they will be holding an information session tonight between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Dr. George Ferguson School gym.
Representatives of Regina, MSS, SaskPower, Regina Food Bank, Mobile Crisis Services, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan and more will provide residents with information and options.
The city will also inform Glen Elm residents of how to change property tax ownership and return water meters.
With little help to offer, Mayor Chad Bachynski said, "that’s the emotional part of it."
He recognized how difficult it was to hear the stories while trying to understand what the city could do within their jurisdiction.
Bachynski also said there will be more ongoing dialogue with the province to find any solutions.
