Fire tenants can’t return until April

Residents displaced from 650 Parliament St. following a sixalarm fire last summer are going to have to wait until at least April to get back into their homes.

In a press release Friday, management said it would continue providing assistance through April 2019, including to those staying in hotels, reversing an earlier announcement from 650 Parliament that said financial assistance to those in hotels would end after Nov. 30. The release also offered an update on the work and time frame on repairs to the building.

“Catastrophic damage was caused to the entire electrical and mechanical systems, while fire, smoke and water have impacted suites and common areas,” said the release from spokesperson Danny Roth, adding repairs would take “at minimum” another six months.

According to the release, “100 per cent” of the residents who contacted management have a place to stay, with assistance of rental housing providers, friends, family and hotels, since fire forced residents out Aug. 21.

“We have been working tirelessly to help secure temporary and permanent housing options for all of our residents,” Roth said.

Management will allow tenants to cancel their lease early, the release said, adding those who terminate their lease will get a “relocation stipend” of $5,000 plus $2,500 in furnishing assistance as well as the return of any last-month rent currently held.

Tenants who choose to stay will continue to receive housing assistance until April 30.