Birchwood Terrace residents able to return home says the City of Winnipeg

It’s welcomed news for tenants of birchwood terrace in St James neighbourhood, who were suddenly evacuated from their apartment last may.

According to the city, the planning property and development department advised the property owner they had met requirements and issued them a full occupancy permit on December 18th, and it means tenants can now return to the building.

The property was completely evacuated, after an inspection revealed that the building was structurally unsound, leaving residents with few options, many of which were forced into hotels, having to leave their belongings behind.

Nearly 250 Winnipeg residents were left without a home due to the evacuation.  

Some of those tenants tell CityNews they are still living in a hotel since last spring.

Tenant Alana Pyrch, ended up finding another place to live after the eviction.

 While she still has to inspect the property before deciding whether to move back in or not, she says it’s a good feeling to finally be moving away from the uncertainty, and for all her friends from the building to be able to move back into their homes

“Oh, we’re really happy to be able to get back,” said Pyrch.

 “We’re I guess a pretty social group there, and I miss everybody. Even when we were in the hotel we’d still meet for meals and get togethers.  So it should be nice to be able to get back,” she added.

In a statement to CityNews, St James Ward Councilor Shawn Dobson expressed his excitement for the tenants that the property has been cleared for full occupancy once again, calling it a Christmas gift for those who were forced out of the property.

A contractor told CityNews that it wont be long before the inside of the building will be good enough shape to live in again.

CityNews reached out to the building owner, we did not hear back.