Shared with permission:
"I just found out about this. Devastating and tragic reminder of the lack of safe, to-code, affordable shelter in Grey Bruce. Fire was discovered by police at 2:20AM last night, by the time fire department arrived the inside of the building was engulfed in heavy smoke. The report claims not all lives can be confirmed saved yet and many pets may have perished.
My dear friend had finally left Chesley Place only a few weeks ago and was being housed by Hanover YMCA in a Hanover motel. Local YMCA Housing will provide a 1 week stay max; he received 2 weeks as an exception because nothing else was available, but had to leave after the 2 weeks. He was relieved and happy to have actually found a bed available (only through word of mouth, not through public resources/YMCA) in a shared room at the Forum a week ago.
The 6 bed room cost each tenant $500 per month he said, cheaper then $740 per month required for a 3 bed/ shared room at Chesley Place. Of course at the time we spoke last week he wasn't even sure if there was a kitchen available for residents in the Forum building. I can't contact him at this point. Last we spoke he ended our convo with an unexpected "Love you". This fire makes me so sad and angry.
Hanover Forum rooming house. Horrible, tragic and unnecessary. My heart goes out to these vulnerable residents. SHAME on the lack of safe, overnight sheltering and affordable housing available for vulnerable/at- risk persons in this region. What will it take???
I've had to live in many, very high-risk/ not to code/ and for a high rental cost for a bed in this area particularly since last June. One can not feel more vulnerable, stuck in knowingly, dangerous accommodation. I can remember feeling huge anxiety and fear while stuck in a basement room I lived in this past summer in Owen Sound during torrential downpours flooding basements. So scarey. New York City lost many lives last summer due to basement living situations."
A room ad in Owen Sound
Furnished Room
$800 · N4K 2H6
This is a fully furnished, quiet , professional work space .
There is queen bed, dresser, microwave, shared washroom, and shared re fridge.
The utilise is an additional $50, for internet , hydro and water.
6 month to 1 year lease minimum.
Must have work references and tenancy.
