Penhold's Paul Pearce is facing eviction from his home of five years in spite of his physical disability that restricts his mobility to a walker and scooter.
As of Oct. 31, 62-year-old Pearce will no longer be a resident of Penhold's Royal Manor, according to a letter from Marie Flowers, Parkland Foundation's chief administrative officer. Flowers' letter stated that Pearce's situation did not comply with government social housing regulations.
“When I moved into Penhold Royal Manor five years ago, I had just come from Bowden where I spent six months in their seniors' home,” said Pearce, who also requires oxygen. “With all of the development in town now, and my doctor being here, the grocery and drugstore delivering, and my church is right across the street, I want to stay. There are eight of us who live in the home, and we are like family to each other.”
Pearce noted Flowers has told him there is accommodation available in at least two Kneehill Housing Association communities, which may not have the services he enjoys now.
“My quality of life will definitely diminish,” said Pearce. “I can drive but in Penhold I can scooter around to where I need to go. This really is ideal.”
Pearce acknowledges he signed the document on Dec. 2, 2009 that states he is aware that he now lives in a subsided seniors' housing building but can be given three months notice to vacate if there is a senior who needs his unit and meets the eligibility requirements.
The Parkland Foundation's tenant handbook also states that while the mandate of Parkland Foundation is to provide safe and affordable housing to low income seniors, applicants “should be 65 years of age”, although there can be exceptions.
Pearce's friends in the community and building have started a petition to keep him in Penhold which has garnered more than 40 signatures to date, with support still coming in.
To support his letter appealing the eviction notice, Pearce's doctor, Dr. Adam J. Hrdlicka, included a note stating, “It would be in Mr. Pearce's best medical interest if he could stay in Penhold.”
Flowers, after an electronic Parkland Foundation meeting, replied to Pearce through the board chairperson, Connie Huelsman, that the agency was “upholding board policy” and that Pearce when moving into his suite was aware of the possibility that he could be asked to move.
“This is the first time since I have been with the foundation that there is a waiting list for every facility in our area,” said Flowers.
She added that Pearce is not the only individual who has been asked to move from Parkland Foundation buildings.
“I will help him any way I can,” said Flowers. “During the meeting when we discussed his letter, every board member expressed concern for his situation.”
Kerry Towle, MLA for Innisfail/Sylvan Lake and the Wildrose party's seniors critic, said the provincial government has not built enough affordable housing despite a recent $1 billion infusion of funding. She added there are now tight limits to the number of available affordable housing units, which has created waiting lists.
People who were accepted before and who have lived in communities for up to six year, despite not meeting necessary parameters, are being forced out, she added.
“It is not the foundations that are doing this,” said Towle, noting the government crackdown on the affordable housing issue began about two years ago. “They get their directives from the government, and what they are doing is enforcing those directives they are getting.”
Towle said Pearce's situation is just one of a number of similar cases in the region.
“We have helped four other people in this exact same position, two from Innisfail, one from Penhold and another from Bowden,” said Towle, adding her office has not yet received a call from Pearce. “ We will try to work with him to see if we can find other options. I travel across this province and I am hearing this right across.”
