B.C. pensioner ‘amazed’ at offers of support after losing apartment | 24CA News
A B.C. pensioner who misplaced her house following a prolonged hospital keep appears to be on the trail to discovering a brand new house.
On Tuesday, Global News aired the story of Rhonda Elliott, who claims she underwent colon most cancers surgical procedure in early February. The 69-year-old anticipated her hospital keep to final every week or so, however as a substitute remained for for much longer.
During her hospital keep, an estimated six weeks, the Penticton, B.C., resident didn’t pay her March lease. Elliott claims she was unknowingly evicted, together with her possessions being moved to an area storage firm web site.
On Wednesday, Elliott says she’s now staying at an area motel, and that her spirits are lifted after scores of individuals reached out, wanting to assist.
Global News obtained scores of public requests to assist Elliott.
“It’s just been a whirlwind. I’ve had people come up and say, ‘How can we help you? What can we do?’” stated Elliott, who was staying at a hostel yesterday however was relocated on Wednesday.
As an instance, Elliott stated one girl picked her up on the hostel, introduced her to the motel and paid for a month’s lease.
“We started crying because … the kindness that people out there that have been helping,” stated Elliott whereas on the verge of tears. “Taking us places and wanting to do things.”
Global News reached out to a number of businesses final week and this week.
On Wednesday, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon stated “I’ve truly reached out to B.C. Housing to ask them to ensure an outreach employee reaches out to this particular person, to ensure they’ve short-term housing, then, within the long-term, extra steady housing.
“And certainly my heart goes out to them. I know it must be very difficult.”
Meanwhile, Elliott stated a company from New Westminster contacted her, as did an area property administration group.
“It’s just been overwhelming, the people who are stepping forward,” stated Elliott. “The kindness of their hearts, helping someone who had a story to tell.”
She continued, saying, “And now all of a sudden, it’s changing. All this help that I’m getting from people. It’s just amazing. I’m just so stunned. I don’t know what to say or do.”
Elliott talked about that her pension cheques are actually being mailed out, albeit to a short lived deal with.
Also, Penticton metropolis councillor Amelia Boultbee advised Global News that she’s trying into the matter.
Global News has reached out to the corporate that managed her former house constructing and her financial institution, however has but to listen to again from both.
Global News additionally contacted the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, which commented on Wednesday.
“We don’t want anyone to lose their home ever. We are working to support people at risk of homelessness by connecting them with the financial and community supports they need,” stated Minister Sheila Malcolmson.
The minister added that anybody going through challenges can cellphone 1-866-866-0800 or go to a ministry workplace of their neighborhood.
One native company that did converse to Global News about this was the South Okanagan Similkameen Metis Association.
“A big missing piece in all situations like this is wraparound care,” stated affiliation spokesperson Tracy Franklin, who helps Elliott.
“In order for anybody to get help, they have to go to the access centre, they have to (go to) the ministry office, they have to go to the (brain injury association).
“They have go to out and seek out all these different agencies and there’s no one hub for anybody to get just the help that they need. It’s almost like a full-time job for people in poverty to be able to get anything tangible happening without going agency to agency to agency.”
Franklin continued, saying every company has its personal mandate and units of guidelines and laws.
“A lot of stuff people can’t do is because (agencies) aren’t allowed to do it,” stated Franklin. “That whole wraparound care piece is really missing.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
