An emergency refuge from Calgary rushes to find new housing for more than a dozen families fleeing domestic violence after being struck by floods twice in the past few weeks.
The refuge also faces a long and expensive list of repairs to replace dry partitions, floors, ceilings and other damage that has been caused when the ceiling pipes frozen and burst, sending water gushing to Course of the first and second floors of the building.
Discovery House has a total of 19 units, including some three and four bedroom apartments used by mothers and their families.
“We have 13 apartments. Most of our common areas and meeting rooms and numerous client offices that have been affected by this flood, “said Leslie Hill, executive director of Discovery House, when she provided Global News with a visit to the damage .
So far, six families, including 21 children, have been safely moved and staff are working to find new housing for other families who will have to be moved from their damaged units.
“I had a few tears,” said Hill. “We are all really passionate about what we do for our customers. We are all really passionate about the project so that this space really heals for our customers – and see that Undoine is really terrible. »»
The Discovery House art hall is among the areas damaged by the floods at Discovery House. The other damaged areas include 13 apartments, offices, the cultural healing room, the reception area and laundry rooms.
Gracieuse: Discovery House
Hill added that some of the customer’s goods were also damaged during the floods.
One of the residents of Discovery House, who does not identify, but is based on the pseudonym of Fatima, said that the flood had been very stressful for her and her family.
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A woman, who goes through the pseudonym Fatima and lived in the refuge with her three children for about a month, described the flood as “very stressful”.
“Being here is so comfortable and friendly, in my opinion. I was more comfortable than ever. Everything was so easy. Practical for me here. Just schools and other things. Everything was very practical for me, ”said Fatima.
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“My daughter, she always had trouble going to school and since we are here, she always went to school and she was so comfortable. Same thing with my other children. I felt like everything was easy and practical and very easy to live for them. »»
For the moment, Fatima and his family live in a hotel but will eventually move to another shelter.
“The other day, I went to my room to take things. I felt a connection in this house. I felt bad as if I started. But that’s what it is. Sometimes we have no control over things, “she said.
The floods at Discovery House occurred when pipes on the ceiling have frozen and broke out in cold weather, sending water gushing to the first and second floor of the building.
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Discovery House helps around 600 people each year. The floods took place when the building was already undergoing major repairs, such as the installation of new windows.
“Our refuge is over 20 years old, and because of the nature of the people who come and go, it is seen a lot of wear,” said Hill.
“We are just to the point where many things must be replaced naturally…. We worked our path in the refuge and renovated our spaces, and unfortunately, many spaces that have already been renovated have been affected by flood. »»
The total cost of repairs is still unknown. Hill and his staff still work with the insurance company and entrepreneurs to understand this.
Hope is sufficient that repairs can be carried out to allow certain families to return next week, but others will probably not come back.
“Some families will probably pass permanently because the apartments will take more time to get back on,” said Hill. “Then we will bring new customers and when these spaces are ready.”
Although community support has been welcomed, Hill said there will be a lot of unforeseen costs. Anyone who would like to make a donation can do it on the Discovery House Website.
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