Regina seniors fear losing their homes amid housing changes

Residents on Rochdale Boulevard say they don’t want to leave their community as units could be rented to younger residents. Wayne Mantyka reports.

A long-time Regina tenant says she was shocked to learn she may have to leave the apartment she has called home for three decades.

Deb Stumph says she received a letter from Regina Housing informing her she would need to vacate her unit if she chooses not to move into designated seniors housing.

“If you choose not to transfer to senior housing, you will need to give notice to vacate and to move to a place of your choice,” Stumph said, reading from the notice.

Tenants say they’ve been told there is space available in seniors complexes, and that moving them would free up units for younger residents.

Stumph says the situation has caused her significant stress.

“I feel terrible. I’ve got such a bad anxiety. I love it here. It’s my home,” she said. “I’ve got friends and everything I need is right here. I don’t want to move anywhere else.”

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The Rochdale Boulevard resident believes she is one of four tenants in her building who have received verbal or written notice.

Another tenant, Rickey Lamha, who has lived in the building for 12 years, says he was under the impression he could stay long-term regardless of age.

“When I moved in here, I was told I could live here forever. It had nothing to do with age,” Lamha said. “It’s got everything here — the pool next door for therapy for my legs and my doctor.”

The Opposition NDP is criticizing the move, calling it unfair to long-term tenants.

“They are losing their sense of agency here,” said NDP MLA April ChiefCalf. “This is being taken out of their hands and they are being treated more like a number than a person. It’s like playing musical chairs with people.”

The provincial government says the changes are being considered due to high demand for family housing units and are intended to better meet community needs.