Odour has created a nightmare for a pensioner forced out of his home. It’s not home sweet home, when Walter Drummond puts his head on his pillow. “I’m broke, I’m a pensioner, so I couldn’t afford a hotel myself, so I just stayed in my car,” said Drummond Drummond’s usual home is a 55-plus building in Ste Agathe, run by Manitoba Housing. He said there have been flooding incidents since last fall, including a sewer backup issue. Drummond said fans and dehumidifiers were brought in, but still the carpet is wet and stained. He said this created an odour that impacted his health. “My doctor on Monday advised me not to go back into the suite.” He felt he had no choice but to sleep in his car, which he has done every night this week. The first time he parked overnight in a mall parking lot on Pembina Highway, but he didn’t feel safe. “I didn’t sleep, I couldn’t. I was freaking out.” Since then, his girlfriend has let him park the car in her driveway, where he said he has more peace of mind. He does not sleep overnight in her house out of respect. He said they’ve been dating less than two weeks, and her son lives there. Drummond believes Manitoba Housing could be doing more to fix his apartment and find him somewhere to stay. “I was thinking ‘what has housing done to me?’ Like, I’ve been screaming at them to have a contractor come out, come out.” It appears action is being taken. In a written statement, a provincial spokesperson said accommodations are being made. “MB Housing’s tenant service coordinator has connected with Mr. Drummond and helped with alternative arrangements as we work on the unit, which is on track to be completed on Monday,” the release said. “Every Manitoban should have a safe and secure place to call home, and our government will continue to work until everyone has access to the dignified housing they deserve.” Drummond hopes this is last time he has a car roof over his head, when he closes his eyes. “Maybe I’ll have a good evening tonight at a hotel where I could be more safer.”
