Residents upset as troubled care facilities close
City begins move-out operation as support workers walk off the job
City of Hamilton workers will continue closing down a series of troubled residential care facilities Wednesday after a plan to find a new operator fell through and support workers walked off the job.
“City staff are working on this full-time. All hands on deck,” said city of Hamilton spokesperson Ann Lamanes. “Things are moving quickly and it’s a very serious situation that continues to evolve ...”
The privately-run homes — Burris Lodge at 28 Burris St., Balsam Lodge at 213 Balsam Ave. S. and 223 Balsam Ave. S., Anka Rest Home Inc. at 43 London St. N. and St. Francis Lodge at 57 Proctor Blvd. — are used by residents with psychiatric, addiction and other issues.
The lodges have been operating without a licence while owner Bellbrook Meadows Inc. of Mississauga attempts to sell the operation.
But Tuesday, long-standing concerns by the city came to a head when Burris Lodge employees,
who said they had not been paid for their June shifts, did not report for work.
City workers moved in to provide care and assist residents with moving out.
Dee Bisson, a care worker assisting the residents, said there were nine residents living in the facility at the time and many were upset about leaving.
Burris Lodge resident Brian Hymans, 53, said “with no warning we are being told to leave because (of ) staff problems and money owing.
“I was at Balsam Lodge before here and I have only been here three days and I have to move from here.”
Hymans said he was especially concerned that he will end up sharing a room with someone.
“I’m not doing the double thing again. It will be like going to back to jail. It will get my mind in the wrong mindset and who knows what will happen then.”
The developments Tuesday came after the city moved to revoke three operating licences the company had and to refuse an application for a fourth.
In a surprise move at a licensing tribunal hearing May 13, Bellbrook’s owner Andrew James pleaded no contest. The hearing heard another company was interested in buying the operation.
That company was later identified as Niagara Supportive Living, the firm that had been operating the facilities on Bellbrook’s behalf.
Vishal Chityal, the director of Niagara, said Tuesday his company has decided not to buy the operation and is not interested in managing it any longer.
“Our company has not been involved in managing the properties since June 1. Before that, we were in our due diligence process in an effort to determine the viability and sustainability of the project.”
The company has decided that because of “numerous legal issues surrounding the properties ... (it) made it difficult to negotiate a deal where we would be able to manage the homes in an equitable and effective fashion. As a result, Supportive Living’s due diligence was wrapped up with regards to the Hamilton buildings.
“We understand that there are ongoing talks between the parties involved in an effort to save the operations and keep the tenants housed. Aside from that, we are quite removed from the whole scenario.”
James, of Bellbrook, could not be reached for comment.
Two weeks ago, the 50 residents at the four facilities were told they had an option to move if they wanted.
Several took up the offer, but many among those have since returned. Tuesday the residents were told they had no choice but to move.
A city spokesperson was unable to say how many residents were being moved.