A survivor of domestic violence says she wanted a fresh start, but got a basement full of sewage and mould.
Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP brought Shannon Kay, a single mother of seven, to the legislature Thursday to share her story.
Three years ago, Kay and her children fled their Saskatoon home to escape an abusive relationship. Just a few months later a fire destroyed everything they owned.
She said the Saskatchewan Housing Authority relocated her to a building in Saskatoon after the fire, but what came next was quite disturbing. She said there has been repeated sewage backups almost three times a year and black mould under the staircase in the basement.
“The last sewage [backup] was really bad. I’ve noticed that this is the one that has created a lot of sickness within my children, especially my youngest, getting severe allergic reactions due to the mould, with constant red eyes and getting skin rashes,” Kay said.
Kay said the people from Sask. Housing Authority who came to clean the muck would bring a big garbage bag and ask her and all the other neighbours who faced the same problem to throw away their damaged belongings, meaning she lost many of her possessions again.
Meara Conway, the Opposition critic for social services and housing, said Kay is being forced to live in squalid conditions along with her children.
“This case is one of thousands where Sask. Housing units aren’t kept in good repair and aren’t able to provide safe and affordable housing to people in need. Shannon’s neighbours, I heard from many of them reporting cockroaches and bed bugs, in addition to black mould and frequent sewage backups,” she said.
Conway said the housing authority painted over past water damage, but hasn’t fixed the underlying issues.
“Does the premier think that it’s in any way acceptable to mismanage our public housing so badly that it’s making children in this province sick?” Conway asked during question period.
Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky responded, pointing to how this year’s budget includes nearly $10 million to help upgrade social housing units.
“In terms of Sask. housing units in general, Mr. Speaker, we have 17,000 here in our province and many of them are quite old. There’s a lot of money put into upkeep and repair,” Makowsky said.
He said he will work to rectify the situation Kay is currently facing.
