More leaky condo and mould problems in South Coastal BC

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More leaky condo and mould problems in South Coastal BC

September 19, 2006 - 12:00 pm

By: Weisgarber

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?

content=20060919_134616_2292

News1130 - Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - About sixty Co-Op housing developments in the

Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island have fallen victim to the

same issues affecting leaky condos. Rising construction costs are

continuing to put a damper on repairs, but a solution may be in the

works.

The extent of the problem ranges from a slight inconvenience to a

major catastrophy depending on the buildng. Darren Kitchen with the

Co-operative Housing Federaton of BC says the mould is so extensive

in some units, they're uninhabitable. Ten co-ops have now been fully

repaired and four are under construction, but it's getting more and

more expensive. The co-ops are in the process of negotiating a new

lending formula with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Kitchen doesn't expect any legal action over the leaks. Most of the

co-op buildings were built around the same time as the leaky condos.

Typically, about half of the people in any one building are

receiving some kind of financial assistance to make their housing

more affordable.

But at one Surrey housing complex the problem is becoming severe.

Single moms, people with mental health issues and other low income

tenants may end up leaving the complex due to mould and water

problems. BC Housing is now offering to help relocate people in

Peninsula Estates, but there's still no word on money for repairs.

Water seeping through the floors and black mould inside suites are

just some of the problems plaguing the rental complex.

Wheeler with Peninsula Estates Housing Society says the

building is poorly designed and needs fixing but it's unclear where

the money will come from. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

will soon be handing over responsibility for the complex to BC

Housing.

Wheeler claims ever since the change of hands was announced, all

talks with CMHC died. Wheeler adds CMHC also stopped providing some

additional monthly funding becase it found the complex was not

financially viable. He admits maintanence was not kept up over the

years but attributes that to funding shortfalls as well.

Peninsula Estates was built in 1982 and features 18 apartments and

52 townhouses. About a third of the units are subsidized.