As restoration work continues at 99 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham, municipal officials are doing what they can to help those who were left homeless following the August 25th fire.
In all, 90 tenants have received emergency accommodations. As of this past Friday, 22 have secured placements in local retirement facilities, seven tenants have secured short-term leases with private landlords, and five more are scheduled to sign leases in the coming days.
Many other tenants have been able to secure temporary lodgings with friends and family, while some remain in hotels or the emergency evacuation centre set up by the Canadian Red Cross.
“We have made excellent progress in getting displaced residents into longer-term accommodations, and continue to secure more spots every day,” said Josh Myers, Director of Housing Services in a news release. “Our teams in Employment & Social Services and Housing Services continue to work together to ensure that all our residents are being taken care of and are pushing forward to get everyone into secure housing until return to 99 McNaughton is possible.”
Municipal officials say getting residents back into their homes will be a phased process, with an exact timeline remaining uncertain until the investigative work is completed.
As for the building itself, investigators say it doesn’t appear any part of the area damaged by the fire will have to be demolished. Restoration clean-up has started and the Municipality is working with contractors to determine the scope of work needed for certain units to be ready for occupancy.
Up-to-date information, resources, and details on donation locations can be found at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/99-mcnaughton.