Denis Lavertu, top right, of Battlefords Housing Authority, presented to North Battleford city council. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Affordable housing update

Housing authority working on upgrades, improving safety and security

Feb 25, 2021 | 5:48 PM

The Battlefords Housing Authority is currently concentrating its efforts on upgrading facilities and updating security measures for a number of its properties.

General manager Denis Lavertu gave an update of the organization’s activities and properties at this week’s North Battleford city council meeting.

Lavertu responded to council’s questions about properties such as the Valleyview Towers buildings, where there have been ongoing complaints from tenants related to safety.

Lavertu said he could not speak to specific cases but indicated all complaints are addressed, and that work has been completed to improve security for the buildings over the last few years.

He said the housing authority invested in security measures such as video surveillance and improving door-access controls for properties.

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“Just recently too we have been adding on-site security,” he said. “But one of the challenges is that burden of proof.”

Tenants have to be willing to come forward to provide information so that any problem residents can be evicted. But he said they are often are reluctant to assist as they may fear retaliation.

Lavertu said the housing authority has several properties with similar challenges.

Coun. Bill Ironstand related some concerns he received about whether the Valleyview Towers is still considered a seniors-only building.

In response, Lavertu said it is still dedicated to housing seniors, however, there are a number of vacancies in the building. The housing authority is permitted by Saskatchewan Housing Corp., through what is known as an interim chronic vacancy response, to fill some of the spots with “non-senior tenants,” deemed a “best fit” for the property in question.

“The idea is they would be living a similar lifestyle,” he said.

He conceded there can be challenges.

“We definitely don’t put a high percentage of that type of tenant in a seniors building,” said Lavertu.

Coun. Kelli Hawtin said she is aware of some issues at the housing authority’s duplexes on 101 Street related to bright lights on at all-hours of the night.

On the issue, Lavertu said the housing authority attempts to follow the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) model to improve building security and safety, which includes ensuring areas are well lit. However, he added the specific lighting can be modified as needed.

“We had a couple residents come forward, and there will be some adjustments,” he said. “We can make other adjustments. People can contact us if there is a concern.”

Plans are to upgrade these properties in the future, and make them more marketable.

“Over the last couple of years we have had higher vacancies for those units,” Lavertu said.

Mayor David Gillan was pleased the housing authority met with council and hopes to see more engagement in the future.

“We are better understanding their strategic direction as an organization,” he said.

While the city does not have any role in managing the housing authority directly, it does appoint members to the board.

“It’s good to get information periodically and share information because we are also a partner with the local housing authority…,” Gillan said. “That means we should get more information about how the operation is going, capital investments that are necessary…We want to better understand how things are [progressing] so we can assist in any way we can.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW