Burnaby renters displaced by fire struggle to find new accommodations within 72-hour period

How long does it take to find emergency accommodations in today’s rental market?

That’s the question that has arisen for residents of a Burnaby rental building, who were seeking a second extension to government support last week, after being forced out of their homes from a fire the previous weekend.

After a fire tore through the rental building at 4191 Albert St at 3am on Sunday, Aug. 14, the City of Burnaby organized hotel rooms, paid for by the provincial government, for the displaced tenants.

After that 72 hours lapsed, the tenants were once again moved—some to one hotel, while others went to a separate hotel. This was thanks to an extension provided by the BC government’s Emergency Management BC Emergency Support Services program.

But that second 72-hour period lapsed over the weekend, and renters were apprehensive about their futures.

“Our plan B is pretty much: we have a tent, like for a backup,” said Jewel George, who lived in the building with her partner, who has epilepsy, and her cat.

George said she woke up to the fire alarm in her building but thought it was a false alarm—something that had happened multiple times in the past. But when she looked out her window, she saw the reflections of the flames in the windows of the building across the street.

She and her partner were able to get out of the building with their cat, where they waited “pretty much all night and then all day” before they were transported by bus to a hotel.

Restoration work is still ongoing at the building, and it’s unclear if or when they would be able to move back in.

Even if the restoration goes well, George said tenants have been facing issues with the landlord trying to push them out. CTV News reported last week that the landlord was arrested last Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a tenant in an altercation over a disputed rent refund and agreement to move out. Burnaby Beacon has not independently confirmed this.

In an emailed statement to the Beacon, Burnaby RCMP said officers were in the 4100 block of Albert Street when they heard a scream and saw a crowd of people.

“After speaking to several witnesses, a 73-year-old Burnaby man was arrested for assault. The 65-year-old female victim received minor injuries. The man was transported to Burnaby detachment and later released with conditions and a court date in November,” said Cpl Mike Kalanj.

However, he couldn’t confirm the identity of the suspect until charges were approved.

And finding affordable accommodations in this region is far from easy—and it has only gotten worse in recent years.

One recent report found that the average one-bedroom Burnaby rental apartment was going for over $2,000 a month in July, a rise of more than 20% over the previous year. And Richmond, North Vancouver, and Vancouver all had even higher average rents, the latter at about $2,500 a month.

Surrey was the only Metro Vancouver city that appeared on the list with a lower average rent, at about $1,600.

And having a cat only further complicates the matter, with many rentals not accepting pets—and those that do charge extra for their damage deposit.

George said she also hasn’t heard of any of her neighbours finding accommodations either.

She had contacts at New Westminster-based Aunt Leah’s Place, which has been helping the couple to find new accommodations. But they haven’t found much luck so far.

And BC Housing has also been active on the file, but nothing has been secured there either.

“We are working on expediting housing application processes to assist displaced individuals and families to find alternative housing,” BC Housing told CTV News last week.

“As vacancies come available, they will be offered to eligible households, including those displaced by this fire, based on need.”

George said she was worried about what effect being forced onto the streets would have on her partner’s epilepsy.

She also is the only one working in the household as a result—she works at a catering company—another pressure point when it comes to finding a new unit.

George said 72 hours simply isn’t enough to find new accommodations in an emergency.

“It’s kind of a waiting game, and [we] keep looking,” she said.

City spokesperson Chris Bryan said staff are continuing to work with Emergency Management BC, as well as with non-government agencies to help find short-term accommodations.

“We recognize the urgency of the situation for those unable to find supports from family or friends. Extensions for services may be requested on a case-by-case basis and are granted at the discretion of the province,” Bryan said in an email.

“We are waiting on word from the property owner’s restoration company as to when some residents may return to their homes.”