Vancouver woman’s concerns over cockroach-infested, province-operated home heard in B.C. Legislature

The story of a Vancouver woman, whose BC Housing-operated apartment, infested with cockroaches, has reached the attention of B.C. lawmakers.

Reacting Tuesday to a CityNews report, Conservative MLA Linda Hepner called on Housing Minister Christine Boyle in the B.C. Legislature to immediately address the concerns of Alicia Willliams.

Boyle responded to Hepner’s question, “We take tenant concerns like this one seriously, and are committed to ensuring that they’re addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.”

Watching from the hotel where she and her five kids now stay, Williams couldn’t help but question the sincerity of the minister’s comments. She wrote an email to Boyle herself on Nov. 12, but it went unanswered.

“We’ll continue to respond and support this family alongside the work we are committed to in building good, dignified, affordable housing,” Boyle continued in the B.C. Legislature.

“I’ve been living in an undignified situtation for three years,” said Williams, watching.

In the minutes following the back-and-forth at the Legislature, Williams says she received a call from BC Housing, offering her an available unit — over a nine-hours drive north in Prince George.

“But that building has been having issues with mice — and this was from their own words,” Williams explained.

“And now I’m sitting here wondering how many buildings are widely affected by the mismanagement?”

In a statement to CityNews, the ministry did not acknowledge Williams’ previous calls for help, instead repeating that BC Housing takes tenant concerns seriously, and is committed to ensuring they are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Hepner said it may be time for an in-depth review on BC Housing’s inspection process.

“Let’s see which of our contractors are actually going good work and which need to be replaced,” Hepner said in an interview with CityNews.

Displaced from their home since October, Williams is doubtful a solution will be found for her family before Christmas.

“We honestly can’t plan for anything because we don’t know what’s going to be happening,” said Williams, adding that she’s not done fighting for a solution.

“I don’t want to have my family rehoused, and they feel like they can swipe this under the rug like they are cockroaches.”