Refused flood relief, Thunder Bay landlord claims injustice

Refused flood relief, landlord claims injustice

Letter to the Editor...this is a very good read.!

Saturday, November 3, 2012 posted and published on the website of the Chronicle Journal.

 

Thunder Bay residents are well aware of the injustice that occurred on May 28 when my home and thousands of others were flooded with sewage due to poor infrastructure, neglect and pump failures. Thunder Bay residents may not be aware of the injustice that is discriminating against landlords affected by flood. Landlords are being denied relief funds from the Ontario Disaster Assistance Program.
I attended a meeting at the Slovak Legion Tuesday evening, to insure my relief forms contained the proper information before submitting them. I’ve spent a lot of time and money (paying $150 for an estimate) putting together my forms. Now I’m being told that because my dad’s name is on the mortgage and he’s not a primary resident, we are not eligible for relief funds! (We had no insurance coverage for water of any kind.)
The guidelines state that “secondary residences are not eligible for ODRAP assistance unless, as a landlord, you are operating a small business and qualify as a small business according to ODRAP guidelines. (You must make more then 50 per cent of your net income from your rental properties).”
So, if you’re making money then disaster relief will help you? This makes absolutely no sense. How can ODRAP discriminate against landlords? In particular, landlords who are not earning a decent living? The majority of flooded homes are owned by landlords, especially in the East End/Intercity area.
This is an outrage! Just because I had help from my dad because of his preferable credit rating, does that mean I don’t deserve to be compensated? So what now? I’m going to be forced to pay back the $1,000 emergency flood relief, pay for the cleanup, and pay for the furnace?
ODRAP refused to take my forms that I was handing in on my dad’s behalf (as he is teaching in India.) I thought if I received the $1,000 advance I was required to hand in the blue forms before Oct. 31. I assumed since I received the advance, registered with the safe homes program, and received a furnace, the city was taking responsibility for their incompetence.
I have at least $50,000 in damages and expenses that are not being covered. The disaster relief fund committee told me to express my frustrations to Susan Fraser, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (475-1653 or 1-800-465-5027 or susan.fraser@ontario.ca). I’m sure there’s more then just me affected by these nonsensical, discriminatory guidelines.
Haven’t the flooded been through enough? I’m not trying to profit off of disaster like a lot of people (you know who you are); all I want and deserve is my basement returned to its previous condition.
Will landlords of flooded properties be forced to join the class action lawsuit against the city (and possibly add ODRAP to the lawsuit) if they want to be compensated for damages and losses?
The last four months have been difficult. Dealing with the aftermath of this disaster it’s been heartwarming to see all the generosity and support for flood victims via the flood relief fund. Red Cross, Salvation Army, city firefighters, all the dedicated volunteers, thank you so much! I was thinking, great, at least the city will reimburse me for its neglect. Unfortunately, I’m being defecated on once again.
Scott Duthie
Thunder Bay