Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 14, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba Winnipeg free press Friday december 14, 2007 a13 Manitoba housing a real fixer upper she said the province has had the report for two months and chose to release it after the fall sitting nip pledges to put of the legislature had ended. They re hoping they can sweep this under the carpet and there would to be much attention now that the session is Manitoba housing tenant Gary Durack spent almost three years battling bedbugs in his Smith department in order by Mary Agnes Welch Street Tower and said he a Uncertain whether plans to spend millions on repairs and Security will s Taff is unhappy management structures Are improve his Complex. Dysfunctional and there a no plan for the he said a big screen plasma television was stolen future a harsh report on Manitoba housing from the buildings common room about a month concluded. Ago for the second time even though there a a Secu the nip government released the report thurs Rity guard on site. Day and said it has a plan to fix the problems include i asked him did you at least Chain it Down ing an Agency wide reorganization $72 million in said Durack. It was gone in three repairs and a crackdown on criminal tenants. Durack said its Tough to run such a Large building housing minister Gord Mackintosh a knowl when so Many tenants have mental health issues edged what critics have said for years ? that Man and others have virtually no Money to live on. Ito a housing has struggled and lumbered along however he said the maintenance in to poor saddled with unhappy tenants Low worker morale though its difficult to convince officials to fresh a dysfunctional management Structure and regu in up the suites with a regular coat of paint. Lar crises. He praised a proposed Rule that will evict tenants enough is enough Mackintosh said. Immediately if they re convicted of a serious crime the housing report conducted by Komg at a Cost or if they Deal drugs or turn tricks out of their unit. Of $880,000, made 52 recommendations for improve Durack said that rules might help keep the building ment. It reviewed everything from management safer. Structures to purchasing practices to maintenance Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said he a glad the schedules for the 18,700 housing units the province nip is finally dealing with the departments Trou runs or funds. Bles. But he said he a disappointed Komg did to opposition members ? and at least one tenant ? interview tenants or recommend ways to ensure said they Are sceptical the nip will be Able to Over they have input into housing decisions. Haul the troubled department that has spawned and he said he was hoping to see some Progress scandal after scandal from bedbug infestations to Sive ideas for new forms of Public housing such As financial misdeeds in housing agencies that it funds. Co Ops. Instead the report focused on internal Man housing critic Bonnie Mitchelson said the nip gement issues. Failed to see the red flags including two reports by the governments overhaul will be phased in Over the auditor general that highlighted troubles. The next three years and will involve the hiring of a a million dollars and eight years in government new chief operating officer for housing. To find out there san urgent need to fix things Mitchelson asked thursday. please clip and Send with your gift today Complete Christmas dinner?$2.58 we need your help to serve hot meals or provide other essential services to hungry homeless hurting people in Winnipeg sinner City this Christmas season. For just $2.58, you can provide a hot meal or the Safe shelter and spiritual help that can be the Start of a new life. Please help us feed and care for hungry homeless hurting people by mailing your gift today. $12.90 helps 5 people. $98.04 helps 38 people. $23.22 helps 9 people. $196.08 helps 76 people. To help As Many people As possible please charge my. Card no. Signature donate online at , or Call 204 956-4344 or toll free at 1-866-648-Hope 4673. Name address phone email please make your Cheque payable to Siloam Mission 300 Princess Street dept. 69584 Winnipeg my r3b 1m3 costs Are average and include the expense of preparing and providing meals. A receipt for income tax purposes will be sent to you. Siloam Mission is a registered Canadian Charity #11915 0043 rr0001. ;