qathet Living October 2022

GOOD NEIGHBOURS AT LAST: Laura Gail Lariviere has found her place among friends at the Inclusion apartments on Ontario.

The difference a safe home makes

Laura Gail Lariviere, 75, is retired and living in a suite at the new, nonprofit Inclusion Powell River apartment building on Ontario. She moved in Christmas Eve, 2021.

On bad rentals:

I was living in hell for seven years, a slum apartment. It wasn’t well-managed. My roof was falling down on me. For five years, no repairs were made. And then the landlord said, “Well, because of that, I’ll give you $10 off your rent.” Also, I had a neighbor who was unbelievable. On my birthday last year, she hit me in the jaw. I’m a senior now. Like, you don’t hit people, period.

On finding a safe place:

I was at the Community Resource Center, talking about my house and the neighbor. The staff person knew her and started to work to get me out. I went and put my name on the Inclusion housing list. After a long time, I got a phone call from Louis saying, I got it. And that was day one. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, and literally walked out with four suitcases.

On feeling at home:

This is the last time I move. And if you’re taking me out, you’re taking me out in a box – or my favourite suitcase.

On having a safe home:

You feel real. Having peace, comfort, and now that I got her all together, including married, it’s even better. I can only say I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am now or as secure you know, yeah. For me, personally, this is the only place I want to be. And there is difficulty in my life, and there is going to be more difficulty, but I can go through it because of where I am and because I know the people in there like me as much as I like them.

On what makes it safe:

People can’t come in unless they ring my doorbell, where before I had no authority. So this is good. And before a problem is really a problem, it’s fixed. Other than the standing in the rain when I’m smoking, this place is wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

On good neighbours:

There’s quite a few people that I know from before. I used to work with mental health and cook at the Source Club. I met a lot of people there who are my neighbours here. I do want to cook for them someday again. We have a multi-purpose room here, and we’re going to try and get games of cards going in the evening and have people socialize more. I would definitely like to get like a potluck dinner going where everybody joins in.

On pet-friendly living:

My cat has changed and it’s only because I’m at peace. If you would knock on the door, she’d run and hide. Now she comes out and greets you. The first couple of times she did it, it was like, ‘Whoa, what is this?’

Home at last

This is the final article in a series of six, produced in collaboration with social planner Meriko Kubota (City of Powell River, qathet Regional District and Tla’amin Nation), qathet Living editor Pieta Woolley, filmmaker Claudia Medina, several local nonprofits and, of course, the individuals who graciously agreed to tell their stories.

These are success stories – locals who have found housing solutions in spite of a record tight market and scarcity of affordable public or private housing.

Everyone involved in this project hopes these stories inspire locals to work towards decent, stable housing solutions for all our neighbours.

Tell your housing story at participatepr.ca