Eviction notice for Adanac Apartments due to ‘life safety issues’

The Adanac Apartments are emptying out.

The Sargent Ave. building is under an eviction notice after the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services found “numerous life safety issues.”

It’s one of several buildings owned by what city officials have called a problematic landlord in the Living Recovery Foundation.

CityNews previously reported on safety issues at the Adanac and several other buildings under the Living Recovery Foundation’s operations after numerous violent crimes, including homicides.

The order, issued Aug. 16, came following an inspection by WFPS that determined the building had several fire code violations, including no power in most suites, no active fire alarm systems, a lack of fire separations, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

Fire crews say they’ve responded to hundreds of calls for service at the apartment building, known to many as the “B Block,” since 2019.

Tenant Thomas Williams doesn’t think the building should be shuttered despite recorded hazards.

“I don’t know why, it’s pretty crazy, because there’s nothing wrong with the property,” he told CityNews.

“They don’t know anything about this building.

“I’m not leaving my cats. My cats are my life. And my friend Susan and my friends, she helped me a lot, and I’ll always be there for her.”

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CityNews Winnipeg reached out to Karin Harper-Penner, the founder of Living Recovery, but a response was not immediately received.

WFPS officials say the closure was not a snap decision.

“Life safety is the top consideration of the WFPS and we do not issue vacate orders lightly,” WFPS said in a statement. “This building has serious safety concerns and fire code violations that must be addressed to ensure residents are safe.”

‘I support the city fully’

City councillor Cindy Gilroy welcomed the closure; the building is located in her ward Daniel McIntyre. Gilroy previously called for Living Recovery to be shut down, and for the province to step in and take over its buildings and tenants.

“I support the city fully, there has been ongoing issues in that building for a long time, many years,” she said. “We have to make sure that building is safe for the people living there, and for the people living around there.”

Gilroy would like to see licensing for those housing people in vulnerable situations, like those with substance use or mental-health concerns, to ensure they’re not being taken advantage of. The Winnipeg councillor hopes the closure sends a clear message.

“If you can’t do the care that is needed for people that need special care, then don’t take it on.”

WATCH: Winnipeg councillor wants landlord shut after homicides at properties (Jan. 2023)

Gilroy says with so many people still facing homelessness, sometimes by choice due to unsafe conditions like those at the Adanac, all levels of government need to step in and address the situation.

“Let’s sit down and work down a plan, because what’s happening right now, is not working,” she said. “People are choosing to stay unhoused because of the conditions of these buildings, and that’s saying a lot.”