Homeowner won’t have to sleep in car

Elderly Christchurch homeowner Ivy Solomon has been spared the ordeal of sleeping in her car after the Earthquake Commission (EQC) paid her temporary accommodation bill.

Solomon has been in a motel for three weeks, with her small dog Casey, while previous botched earthquake repairs to her Linwood unit are being fixed.

Yesterday, Solomon, 76, faced having to leave the motel because EQC had not paid the bill. With no family to go to, she said sleeping in her Suzuki car was her only option.

However, yesterday afternoon, after Solomon’s plight went public, EQC confirmed the bill had been paid.

EQC’s general manager customer and claims, Trish Keith, said the delay had been caused by a difference between the repairs being undertaken, and what had been approved.

‘‘The correct processes need to be followed,’’ Keith said.

‘‘But regardless of that, we will cover Mrs Solomon while we try and sort it out because we don’t want her to be caught in the middle.

‘‘It’s never EQC’s intention to have someone out in the cold.’’

Keith agreed there could have a falling down in communication.

Solomon’s neighbour, Cathy Bray, who is handling the claim on her behalf, said they had been told weeks ago that the accommodation costs would be met.

"We will cover Mrs Solomon while we try and sort it out." EQC

That was followed by a series of lost emails and being unable to speak to EQC staff, Bray said.

A problem appeared to have arisen as the repair strategy approved by EQC was for a weatherboard home, whereas Solomon’s unit had summerhill stone cladding, she said.

‘‘It’s ridiculous that things got to this stage. It would be so much better if you could just talk to somebody.

‘‘Because there are foundation repairs and piles in her floor, there was no way she could stay in the house.’’

Bray said Solomon had received many offers of private accommodation from well-wishers after her story became public.

EQC Minister Megan Woods had also rung and apologised.

Keith said EQC planned to establish a team of case managers next year after a pilot programme, so customers would have a single point of call.

The new staff would handle Canterbury earthquake claims only.

‘‘We have been dealing with large numbers of customers,’’ she said.

‘‘This gives me much greater hope that customers will be dealing with one person until their claims are closed.’’