The large buildings in the foreground are all part of the Airport Inn Lakeside that can't be completely boarded up until the final two residents leave.
(ROB MUNRO / iNFOnews.ca)
November 02, 2019 - 3:30 PM
B.C. Housing was stymied in its efforts to relocate all the residents of the Airport Inn Lakeside in Lake Country that was ordered to be boarded up.
“B.C. Housing has secured housing for the people who wish to apply,” an email from B.C. Housing to iNFOnews.ca stated. “The majority of the people engaged with us and have moved. However, two residents have not engaged and remain at the site. We’ve provided the housing and tried to engage, but they are refusing services. They have been given the contact information for the housing.”
The motel has been in conflict with the District of Lake Country for years. Council gave notice in August that it had to be shut down, bordered up and fenced off. The deadline was Oct. 7 but only if all the illegal tenants had been relocated.
It ceased to operate as a motel some time ago but owner Raif Fleihan continued to rent out units on a monthly basis for $1,200-$3,000 a month, he told iNFOnews.ca.
Even though it’s a private residence and, therefore, does not fall within B.C. Housing’s mandate, that organization did step in to find additional housing.
There was a suspicious fire in two units on Oct. 18.
Lake Country has a contractor boarding up suites that aren’t occupied.
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