Some residents displaced by a Chatham housing complex significantly damaged by a fire in late August could be moving back into their units in mid-November.
Some residents displaced by a Chatham housing complex significantly damaged by a fire in late August could be moving back into their units in mid-November.
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Work to complete repairs at 99 McNaughton Ave. W. is “progressing without delays and it is very likely that all occupants of section D will be permitted to return home by Nov. 15,” stated a Municipality of Chatham-Kent media release.
Shirley Zruna, 81, who has lived at the social housing complex for 15 years, is one of the residents in section D in the 120-unit apartment complex.
Although she is looking forward to returning to her own apartment, she is among 15 displaced residents who are enjoying their stay at the Chatham Resort Retirement Living facility on Keil Drive.
“Everybody’s friendly, helpful, we get three meals a day and we have our freedom,” she said. “It’s just like being home.”
She is going to miss the retirement home, she said.
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Initially, the 15 displaced residents were scheduled to leave Chatham Resort at the end of the month, but that has changed thanks to executive director Louis Muscat.
Noting the residents already had moved twice previously and have “gone through a traumatic event,” Muscat contacted municipal housing about the residents staying at the facility.
“We put a plan together that they would be able to stay here instead of moving again,” he said.
Stan Gore, 46, another 15-year resident of 99 McNaughton Ave. W., said Muscat and his team “went to bat for us” and arranged it so the displaced residents could stay as long as they needed.
“They’ve been of great assistance to us,” Gore said. “They went above and beyond.”
Mary Lamb, who has lived at the affordable housing complex for 27 years, said although she is paying 75 per cent of her income to stay at the Chatham Resort, she does get three meals a day.
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“I really like it here. I’ve made quite a few friends,” Lamb said. “I’m going to miss it when I go home.”
She plans to stay in touch with residents at Chatham Resort.
Muscat said the displaced residents have fit in well with the community at the retirement home.
“The residents who are here have welcomed them along with the staff,” he said.
Muscat believes the displaced residents are “thankful for what we’ve done for them and that’s great.”
While Zruna will be returning home next month, the timing to get back into their apartments is less certain for Gore and Lamb, who both live in the A section of the building, who suffered extensive damage in the blaze that happened in the early hours of Aug. 25.
The municipal release said the A and B sections of the building “require extensive repairs, which will take several months. There is currently no estimated timeline for returning to these sections.”
However, municipal officials said section C of the building also could be ready to have residents return shortly after those in D section move back.
More information on when residents in section C can return to their units will be announced by Nov. 8, municipal officials said.
Erin Ott has been charged with arson-disregard human life and Chatham-Kent police continue to look for another suspect, Leonard Greason, for the same charge.
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