The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is continuing with an all-hands-on-deck approach to the recovery effort following the fire at 99 McNaughton West.
Multiple Municipal teams have been working to secure longer-term accommodation solutions for the displaced residents in need. Thus far, 22 tenants have been assisted in securing 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.
Employment & Social Services and Housing Services have coordinated to connect each displaced resident with an individual case manager to ensure that they are given personalized care for the duration of their displacement.
Since last week, 90 tenants have received emergency accommodations. Some remain in hotels while others have utilized the Emergency Evacuation Centre established with the support of the Canadian Red Cross. The remaining tenants have been able to secure temporary accommodation with family and friends. The Municipality encourages tenants who are able to stay with friends and family to please do so.
At present, resident re-entry will be a phased process, with an exact timeline remaining uncertain until the investigative work is completed. Within the building, 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. As of right now, there is no sign that any parts of the building will need to be demolished.
“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. “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. I would also like thank everyone in our community who took the time to donate to those in need; it was an excellent reflection of how caring and generous the people of Chatham-Kent can be.”
Chatham-Kent Police Services continues to search for Leonard Greason who is wanted in connection with the fire.
Up-to-date information, resources, and details on donation locations can be found at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/99-mcnaughton.
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Media Contact:
Eric Labadie
Manager, Corporate Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
ericl@chatham-kent.ca
