A change in ownership is likely going to mean some major changes for the residents of an Estevan apartment block.
The Pleasantdale Village Apartments, which are located on the 1600 block of Grundeen Crescent, recently changed hands from the Pleasantdale Village Housing Association to the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. The Estevan Housing Authority will manage the property on behalf of the SHC.
Diane Thul, the manager of the EHA, said the non-profit association made the decision to relinquish control of the village's three apartment buildings to the SHC earlier this year. That transaction became official on Dec. 1.
According to letters that were sent out to tenants, there will be no immediate changes in the current tenancy including rent and right of occupancy. However the ownership switch could have a significant long-term impact on residents of the village, some of whom may be forced to look for a new place to live if they do meet the housing corporation's requirements.
Thul said the three buildings that comprise the village are now part of the corporation's affordable housing program that offers subsidized housing to lower income residents and families.
Because of that, current residents who exceed Sask Housing's income threshold will not be allowed to maintain a residence in the building after February.
"There is a set amount of money for the affordable housing programs and if you make above, then you technically do not qualify for that program and should not be in subsidized housing, that is the problem," Thul said during an interview with The Mercury Monday.
"Once you get your notice, if you do not qualify for the program the same as you would any other through Saskatchewan Housing, you will not be allowed to move back in (after planned renovations are completed.)"
The possibility of being subjected to Estevan's low vacancy rates and high rental prices is naturally not sitting well with tenants of the village where rents reportedly range from $300 to $500 a month.
A current tenant, who asked that their name not be printed, said a number of tenants are confused about who may or may not qualify for the buildings and is angry about the possibility of having to look for a new residence.
"It's not a good feeling to not know if you are going to get kicked out of your home or not," said the tenant. "I've been living here a long time and it's not like there is a ton of places to live in Estevan. I don't make big oil rig money and I can't really afford $900 a month anywhere else.
"That's not even an option for me. If I get kicked out of here, I'm probably going to move away. It's not that I have a bad job but I still can't afford $900 or $1,000 a month rent."
The tenant said although they make below the income requirements, there is no guarantee they will be allowed to stay in the building.
"I still have to apply and it says right in the application that people who need it the most get first dibs. So, if there is a single mom out there with a baby, I'm probably getting the boot for her.
"They didn't give us any notice either. We got that first letter saying Sask. Housing is taking it over and then I got my package on the November 30 in the mail and it never told me when I have to have an application in and where to pay rent."
Thul said although she is sympathetic to the tenants' concerns, their hands are tied by Sask. Housing's policy.
"The government has set certain rates of income for the year that you are allowed to make under the affordable housing program Those are the levels they feel that up to that point you could qualify for subsidized housing. Other than that no, you don't," said Thul.
"It is very tough in Estevan and yes, the rates are very high and it is difficult for people."
Thul added that those who do stay in the buildings will be seeing a number of improvements over the next few months.
"We are talking major, major renovations to this place over the next few months. Major structure work, not just going in and giving someone new carpet and lino - windows, doors, fire escapes, roof - we have to look at all these things."
