Disabled man locked out despite court order
A Supreme Court order did little on Sunday to get wheelchairbound Robert Dal Passo back into his downtown Vancouver room in a transitional housing complex run by Community Builders Foundation.
Dal Passo, 54, with the help of low-income housing advocate Dan Zimmermann, was granted a court order on Feb. 11 after Community Builders changed the lock on his room and confiscated his possessions.
Since he was locked out of his room on Feb. 2, Dal Passo said, he’s been homeless and relying on friends for accommodation.
With three Vancouver police officers watching, Dal Passo and Zimmermann served a Community Builders staff member with the court order at the former Quality Inn at 1335 Howe St.
But Dal Passo was denied entry to his room and wasn’t allowed to retrieve any of his possessions.
He claims he’s been targeted by Community Builders after filing a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) over allegations the transitional housing complex was poorly run and violated tenants’ rights.
“I should be back in my room, but I’m not,” Dal Passo said as reporters gathered outside the building. “They can’t deny it, that’s a judge’s order.”
Zimmermann said he believes Dal Passo is being singled out for speaking up about poor conditions inside the Howe Street facility.
“Friday, March 11, that’s his day,” Zimmermann said of the upcoming RTB hearing. “Community Builders is trying to make him homeless before he can get his RTB hearing.”
According to a City of Vancouver media officer, Community Builders claims Dal Passo was a hoarder and his room was a fire risk.
“The tenant in question was staying in a room that was deemed to be a fire hazard from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, so he no longer has access to that room due to the notice given by VFRS in order to protect his safety,” the media officer said.
“Staff have been trying to work with the individual to find him an alternative room in another building, to ensure that he’s in a safe accommodation. However, the tenant hasn’t been co-operative.”
Dal Passo denies being a hoarder, but did admit his room is full of his possessions.
In a statement to the media, Zimmermann claimed people living in the transitional housing units are being denied their rights under the Residential Tenancy Act.
“This is part of a continuing trend of Community Builders receiving government funding in the form of subsidies and grants while not providing the support services required of them,” he said.
Other tenants at the former Quality Inn said they would move if they could find another place.
“Here they make you feel like a criminal because you’re homeless,” said Ben DuPont, 59.
Bert Yonkman, 39, said Community Builders is supposed to provide breakfast and dinner, but there’s not enough to feed everyone.
“Once the first 10 people go through there is no food left,” Yonkman said. “So many people are going hungry and it is not right.”