Westcourt residents express frustration

Displaced residents at a downtown high-rise are heading into the holiday season with more questions than answers.

Westcourt Place tenants have been left temporarily homeless after a car fire erupted last Tuesday, filling the building with smoke and chasing people out of their homes. While building owners have footed the bill to move the residents from a temporary shelter to motel rooms, others have had to resort to different accommodations for the time being.

“I’ve been couch surfing in a few friends’ homes. Now I’m at my brother’s place in Belle River,” said five-year resident Gary Mendler.

The initial estimate to return home was two days, so residents grabbed only a few days’ worth of supplies with the expectation of returning soon. Now, they’ve been told it could be weeks.

For Mendler, the struggle extends past the effort to keep warm and fed.

“I’m a leukemia patient. We were told three days and we’re allowed to get in, grab some medication,” said Mendler. “Now, while we’re away, it changes from three days, to five days, to seven days. Now they’re telling us two weeks. Well I’ve got to come here and get my medication … but I’m being told I can’t get in.”

While Windsor Fire has concluded the investigation, the Medical Officer of Health says that it is still not safe for residents to return home.

Residents who are in need of assistance outside of the help being provided by Westcourt owners can contact 211 for more information.