Residents of a nearly 50-year-old seniors' home in Charlottetown says the provincial government is turning a blind eye to the dilapidated old building.
Charlotte Court on North River Road is home to nearly 40 residents.
But the building hasn't seen any major repairs in more than a decade. That's because the provincial government can't decide whether to renovate or replace the building.
So, in the meantime, residents wait.
A large piece of the exterior wall has fallen off exposing the pink insulation.
Portions of the ceiling soaked by a leaking roof have been repaired with masking tape.
Mold is growing between the walls, causing portions of the walls to turn black.
The hallway floors sag in some sections and are raised in others, which has caused several dangerous falls for the seniors who live in the building.
Earl Keefe has lived at Charlotte Court for nearly 15 years. He's heard promises by government after government that the building was going to be replaced but it's never happened.
His walls had to be washed down because they were covered with mold.
"I know we're old and stupid, but we shouldn't have to live like this," Keefe told The Guardian.
"It's going to get worse."
Donna Morris has lived at the low rent seniors housing unit for four years.
Morris said she can't believe they have even stopped doing routine maintenance like cleaning the carpets and painting the hallways.
"We can't force them into building a new building but they seem to have declared a moratorium on any maintenance or repairs," said Morris.
"It's static. They are not doing anything. But without the maintenance, it's deteriorating beyond repair."
Ina Edgett, who has lived at Charlotte Court for three years, said she was forced to carry out renovations to her own apartment.
"We're all at an age and health wise that we shouldn't have to fight this battle," said Edgett.
"They've chosen not to do anything with this building with the idea of saying that they are undecided about what they are going to do with the building. One of the ladies in here told me that's been the story they've been saying since 1991."
Residents of Charlotte Court, the oldest seniors housing building on the Island, have had a series of meeting with the operators of the building, local MLAs and the former minister of Seniors, Doug Currie.
They say they were "patronized."
But the new minister of Seniors, Janice Sherry, said help may be on the way for Charlotte Court and its residents.
The province has set aside $7.5 million in last fall's capital budget for seniors housing and Sherry confirms Charlotte Court will get part of that funding.
But Sherry could not provide specifics and could not say whether the building will be renovated and replaced.
"They are very much still on the drawing board," said Sherry, who has not personally toured the site.
"There are a number of options that are being looked at right now. We're hoping to come to some resolutions on a direct path probably in the next few months."
When pushed for a timeline, Sherry said: "By the end of 2010 they will definitely know what's happening with their facility."
There are also concerns about after-hours emergency access to the building.
After 10 p.m. the main doors are locked but there is no way to buzz the apartments, which has left paramedics on two separate occasions locked out of the building after a resident has called 911.
Local MLA Kathleen Casey held a series of meetings with residents about the condition of the seniors' home, dating back to February 2009.
"The previous minister and the new minister has continued to tell me that it is a priority," said Casey.
"I've been hearing soon, be patient. But I know the residents have been hearing that for a long time and I feel their frustration."
Tenants pay 25 per cent of their income to live at Charlotte Court.
Residents are also frustrated they are not allowed to move within the building or to another seniors home.
Residents of seniors home want repairs or replacement
Donna Morris, left, Earl Keefe, and Ina Edgett, all residents of Charlotte Court in Charlottetown, review pictures of some of the problems with their nearly 50-year-old building. Residents say its time to either repair or replace their home.
- Published on Febuary 23rd, 2010
- Published on June 19th, 2010
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Wayne Thibodeau
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Comments
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- Shelley. B
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:39:58
Seniors are valuable members of society who contribute a diversity of skills, knowledge and experience to their communities.
Contact the Federal government, tell theMinister for Senior Citizens about this unacceptable situation. BLACK MOLD is dangerous to people's physical andmental health and the enviroment. It's a public hazard. Where is the Province spending the federal monies it gets to go toward Senior citizens housing? -
- Dic Penderyn
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:38:49
Seniors in Charlottetown are being treated with disrespect and this is just the tip of the iceberg with matters concerning health and safety.
Nothing ever gets done in Charlottetown because there of a serious lack of accountability and co-operation between the employees of the Provincial Government and the City Council.
This is another case of lack of ethics and a lot of apathy in the system.
There are bylaws which are set up to protect the inhabitants of Charlottetown and somewhere there is a bylaw officer responsible for enforcing these bylaws. Unfortunately a great amount of time will be awarded to finding a reason for not enforcing the bylaw rather than acting on it because both Provincial and City will say it is not their jurisdiction and therefore not their responsibility or there is no bylaw to cover the crisis in question.
Good luck to the residents of Charlotte Court on North River Road on getting anything done while you still have a breath in your body! -
- Taxpayer
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:44
One million to Vanoc !!!!!
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- Chelle'
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:22
OMG! Government Elder Abuse!!
BLACK MOLD is growing between the walls, causing portions of the Walls to Turn Black.
The hallway Floors sag in some sections and are raised in others, causeing Seniors to Suffered Several Dangerous Falls.
Resident, Earl Keefe's walls had to be washed down because they were Covered with MOLD.
I know were old and stupid, but we shouldnt have to live like this, Keefe told The Guardian. Its going to get worse. NO, MR. EARL KEEFE, YOU ARE A VALUABLE HUMAN BEING. NOONE In Canada SHOULD LIVE IN THESE Dangerous and Cruel THIRD WORLD CONDITIONS!
Donna Morris who has lived at the low rent seniors housing unit for four years,
said she cant believe they have even stopped doing routine maintenance like cleaning the carpets and painting the hallways. MS.MORRIS, What was routine maintenance No doubt Was Stopped due to the Toxic and Dangerous conditions to Human Health in this sick, dangerous building.
Contact the Department of Enviroment & Dr. Lamont Sweet get them in there. This is extremly Dangerous to Human Health
AND a Litigation Lawyer to sue Sherry. She's participating in Elder Abuse and a danger to The Public's Health and the enviroment. -
- Joe
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:28:20
The next step for each resident of Charlotte Court, if they haven't already done so, is to file individual complaints with IRAC...all 40 of them. Picture the irony.
I would expect there would be immediate action to resolve the problem before the hearings start.
Does Premier Ghiz know about this or is he still whooping it up in Washington? -
- red_rose25@hotmail.com
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:32
The Government should really make it their priority to replace all the old Senior Citizen buildings because it won't be long before they'll be living in them. 501 Queen is a lovely spot but it sure needs updating and a good scouring!
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- Me
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:19:48
SHAMEFUL! I am sick to my stomach to think that our island seniours are living like this, and at the hands of our own government. Should we or shouldn't we fix or replace , and yet a $500,000 contribution was made to the 2010 Olympics??? This is nothing short of appalling and disgraceful.
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- Joe
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:15:35
A news release from CMHC last spring highlighted, a joint investment of more than $13 million over the next two years to build new and renovate existing affordable housing.
Seniors housing is included in the initiative. Provincial Minister of the day, Doug Currie said, (quote) This investment will enable Prince Edward Island to renovate or replace many of our aging social housing units. Everyone deserves to live in comfortable and affordable homes, and todays investment means that more seniors, families, and people with disabilities in our One Island Community will be able to live in housing that offers them a good quality of life. (end quote)
So the question is...where's the money Doug? Janice? Anyone? Helloooo?
(crickets chirping...) -
- Shirley
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:15:10
This story is just heart breaking.It is time the gov. woke up shame on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- RLS
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:10:08
This is a disgrace and our pathetic excuse for a government should be ashamed of themselves. How about cutting the number of MLAs in the province in half, use the money saved from the salaries and expense accounts, and there will be enough money to build beautiful new accommodations for our seniors. If they can find money for the Olympics, they should be able to find the money for this.
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- nancy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:09:58
well now there comming around doing things ,well if these people of charlote court did not come forward things will not get done,it took great courage to do wat they did,now people are comming to fix these things too bad they had to go this far to get things done,shame on you,the senoirs asked to get things done u did nothing,they had meatings all they did waspromise the seniors ,not back up there story,
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- Granny
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:34
Shame on them!!!! I don't care what political stripe you wear, you should be ashamed to allow any of the province's vulnerable seniors live in unsafe, unhealthy, and squalid conditions. Not only are those apartments horrendous, take a look at SOME of the nursing homes...Riverview in Montague, for example. It is disgusting. The premier allowed ministers to spend about a quarter of a million dollars to fancy up their offices; spent money on Olympics on the other coast; spent money on wine tasters; got PNP money that went into 5 star inn updates, etc.. How far would that have gone to giving clean and healthy surroundings to our older folk? You know, we were taught as kids that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Right now, our weakest link (seniors and those who are sick) are being ignored. Voices are not being heard. The weakest link will break the chain....Now that is a powerful message to send to the young premier.
Here is an idea. Let the minister in charge go spend a week living in one of the facilities, and then let her decide how important the decision to fix things is. -
- nancy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:30
well i think it a disgrace to our seniors,they ned a safe home to call there home not live in oig stine,the goverment dont mind building these fancy buildings ,look at all the money going out ,seniors are the ones who have to pay,some day youll be in there too so seniors sheould be treated respect,they have health problems ,the mold an dampness is not good for any one i should no i been there ,the gov just tossed the seiors aside like tomorrows trash ,its time to wake up an keep your promise,
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- Appalled
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:55:01
To Bruce: So you think it's okay to spend what little money there is on games and wine tasting while the seniors who paid taxes all their lives are left to live in a run down moldy building?
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- George P.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:51
If this is true it makes the Provincial Government the sleazes slum lords in the City if not the country. The story states -A large piece of the exterior wall has fallen off exposing the pink insulation.
Portions of the ceiling soaked by a leaking roof have been repaired with masking tape.
Mold is growing between the walls, causing portions of the walls to turn black.
The hallway floors sag in some sections and are raised in others, which has caused several dangerous falls for the seniors who live in the building. is this how seniors should be treated?
But what brings my blood to the boil is the section of the story that states -
Edgett said a couple of residents wanted to move into apartments in better conditions, but the province said no.
Youre not allowed to transfer from one building to another and youre not allowed to move within the building either.
This statement alone turns a slum lord into a sleazy slum lord, not allowing the senior residents to transfer to better accommodations should be considered criminal in itself.
Come on people if you are willing to flood a story with indignant fury over the treatment of a fox, this story deserves your unfettered rage. Demand that the current Government be forced to exchange residence with these seniors until such time as the structure is replaced or brought back to proper living condition. They found the money to make over office space didnt they. -
- obamacare
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:07
can't wait til we get this too!
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- Charlottetownian
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:03
Maybe if they weren't spending money on that hospital in O'Leary they could take those millions and do something useful.
Complete waste of money. -
- appolled
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:49:39
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! on this government for finding excuses to neglect our seniors and at the same time find an excuse to contribute half a million dollars to GAMES! SHAME on the lot of you.
How dare these politicians assume that the tax payers would prefer they spend OUR money on games over the senior citizens of this province.
It will be a cold day in he!! before I ever vote for a liberal OR a PC ever again because this had to have started when the PCs were in for it to have gotten to this state. NEVER AGAIN! -
- Wayne
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:49:11
Lets get this looked after ASAP as hopefully all of us will live long enough to enter one of these homes. A good friend of the family is in the above mentioned home and I never heard her complain once but after talking to her today I felt that this had to be written. Government will do the right thing here and fix this, hopefully by the end of the summer.
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- Oh BRUCIE....
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:46:04
Well Bruce, you must be the male equivalent to Maxine, the cartoon character. In case you don't know it, I am a senior too, worked all my life too, and paid my own way. However....and this is an important however...most of the people who live in Charlotte Court didn't have great paying jobs where they could squirrel a little away for old age. They had just enough to keep the wolf from the door. Or maybe they was older women who stayed home and raised children like people used to do, and have no pension, except old age pension. This housing is in exactly luxury living, and you should really be thankful that you don't have to depend on someone else for shelter and warmth. On the other hand, maybe you should have compassion for those who do. Being as fortunate as you are, I hope you remember to open that wallet of yours a wee bit to help someone less fortunate than you...in this life, so you won't have to come back as a rat.
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- bruce
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:45:03
Here we go again. These people who are in the blame game who will say it's the fault of this government even though they have been in power for two years , why didn't they complain when the Torys were in power for the eleven previous years. I have been in this place and like any building it needs to be looked after. But before there is any more money put into these places they should see if it is worth putting money into it or should it be replaced all together, some where else. I am a senior and I hope I don't wind up in an old folks home , mostly because I don't want to have to depend the hand outs from taxpayers and I like my independence.
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- Story Watcher
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:43:30
Absolutely disgraceful! There is no other way to describe this situation. Obviously these people are considered second class. I wonder if Janice Sherry the newly appointed minister for seniors thinks about this situation when she flies first class or drives her newly acquired government car that includes a generous expense account, not to mention her 100,000 dollar salary.
Now is your chance to shine as a new minister Ms. Sherry. You basically came into politics from obscurity. You certainly didn't stand out as a member of the public accounts committee, so let's see if you have what it takes to get the job done for these seniors. They need some action now, not some bureaucratic BS like your answer that they should know by the end of the year...... You heven't even taken the time to go and see for yourself. Not a good start in my books. -
- bill
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:42
they needed the money to buy out
ray's liquor store lease
invite your local pnp promoter in to see if he can get you some funny money -
- shawn
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:06
The reason that the province has not done any repairs is probably from lavish spending accounts for MLA's and other corrupt provincial spending. The province doesn't care about seniors they look at them as a burden to the provinces financial system. What a shame all seniors deserve better.That's my opinion.
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- bruce
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:36:20
I am sick of these people who are now claiming to be the champions of the seniors, with their letters saying shame shame, disrespectful and so on. I am a senior and it really makes me angry when seniors play the poor me card. I have worked hard all my life for what I got , brought my family up with the belief that they don't owe me anything for providing for them . We live in a country that is becoming more and more ungratful for what we have and it is because we have seniors who have raised their children up to get what ever you can from the system becauseb there is lots to get if you whin .Guess what ,we don't have that much left to give
