Winnipeg woman raises alarm about potential mould issues at Manitoba Housing complex

After losing her son less than two years ago and becoming the primary caregiver for his child, a Winnipeg woman living inside a Manitoba Housing complex is calling for help with a serious issue that appears to be growing.

Highlighting several instances of what appears to be black mould to CityNews, Shannon Kipling says she’s worried about her family’s health and safety being put at risk due to the fact conditions in her provincially-owned apartment are deteriorating. 

“I feel stuck. Like I feel like I’m paying for my suffering,” said Kipling on Tuesday inside of her home at 30 Wynford Drive. 

“My children’s health is of most importance, and we’ve done some damage to it, because of our environment and our house is kind of unacceptable.” 

In the complex, parts of the ceiling are in need of repair and are covered in water stains all due to a leaking roof. Kipling has been living at the apartment for more than 10 years and she says the damage has become impossible to live with, her family experiencing what she believes to be mould toxicity symptoms for weeks. 

“It’s frustrating,” she said. “I feel like I’m just not being heard or being taken seriously, and I feel like I’m not the only one that’s had these issues.”

In hopes of solving the issue, she had an environmental testing company come to her apartment, but didn’t get the results after learning it was going to cost her almost $800 to obtain the results for tests conducted in the province-owned suite. 

“We’re trying to live in a nice complex and keep our house safe and it’s like we’re paying rent and then it’s like, ‘O.K. well we’re asking just for basic maintenance and upkeep’,” she said of several requests to Manitoba Housing, all of which have gone unanswered.

However, after CityNews started to ask questions about the mould and condition of the building, Kipling received a call late Tuesday afternoon that property management is going to cover the cost of the environmental report for mold toxicity in her apartment. 

Kipling says beyond that, she says she’s still waiting for next steps to address problems in the building.

A statement from Minister of Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness, Bernadette Smith states the government has been in contact with residents at 30 Wynford Drive and they’re taking their concerns seriously. 

The statement also noted the complex will be receiving a new roof this spring and Manitoba Housing staff will be visiting the building to determine if temporary repairs are required.

As for Kipling, she says the issue is one that continues to cause frustration and worry, saying the stress keeps her up at night in a space where she and her family are supposed to be safe.