THUNDER BAY - Tenants at a north side housing complex will be presenting a list of health and safety concerns to the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board next week.
The Andras Court Tenant Association held a meeting last Thursday to discuss issues of violence and safety at the 221 unit housing complex on South Cumberland Street.
More than 40 tenants attended the meeting and according to tenant association president, Jerry Estey, the discussion focused on security and health and safety.
The building has been the scene of several violent incidents, including two murders. Residents said there appears to be a lack of security in the building, with non-residents often entering the building and roaming the halls.
A recent violent incident that saw a 41-year-old man stabbed in the building sparked the meeting, with residents wanting to see change in the housing complex.
Estey said officials with the DTBSSAB were not invited to attend the meeting on Thursday.
“That was the only way that was possible for people to speak their minds and not be sort of intimidated from anyone from Housing,” he said.
The DTBSSAB issued a statement last week detailing its commitment to providing secure housing for all its tenants, including those living at Andras Court.
“We have full-time staff dedicated to our tenants needs, including a Property Management Officer and a Tenant Support Coordinator,” the statement read. “In addition, Apex Security is on-site seven days per week from 9 p.m. through 5 a.m.”
According to the statement, the DTBSSAB will also be installing 75 more cameras in the building in 2017, as well as new LED lighting inside and outside the building.
Estey said the tenants association will be sending a letter detailing the concerns raised during the meeting last Thursday to DTBSSAB officials and he is hopeful the positive working relationship will continue.
“So far, talking with our housing manager, everything is positive,” he said. “They are looking forward to hearing from us and everything seems to be on a positive note so far. We will see when we get our response back. There are some things they will deal with and some things that will maybe take a little longer. But hopefully we get a good response.”
The statement from the DTBSSAB said officials are open to working with the tenants association.
“We will continue to meet regularly with our tenants and will be open to suggestions for any improvements they may bring forward at the upcoming Tenant Association Meeting on April 6, 2017,” the statement read.
