Our Langford doles out donated $15,000 for displaced RidgeView Residents

More than a month after over 100 people were evacuated from RidgeView Place, one of the fundraisers is handing out over $15,000 from donations to help displaced residents.

Dozens of former residents were outside The Royal Canadian Legion Langford branch on Sunday, picking up their portion of funds donated to a GoFundMe organized by Our Langford.

“That’s what we do. We stepped up and we did what we could and we did it as fast as we could. We’re getting the money out today and we’re just so grateful to help them.” said Lisa Foxall, an organizer with Our Langford.

The fundraiser began shortly after residents were evacuated from the building — formerly known as Danbrook One. The City of Langford told the public that the building has structural safety concerns and that its occupancy permit was revoked as a result.

As days passed, Centurion which owns RidgeView Place, announced it would compensate each unit with $2,500.

The city also announced that it would match up to $75,000 in donations made to the Community Social Planning Council’s fundraiser. Currently, that fundraiser sits at over $36,000.

“Other than that emotional and mental stress, everything has worked out,” said Andrea Soriano, a displaced resident.

Some residents who attended the event say they were able to find new housing quickly, but in some cases, were forced out of the city.

“We did have to leave Langford sadly, but at the end of the day, we were just happy we were able to find something within the [one] month time we had,” said Matthew Morais, displaced resident.

Coffee, donuts, and smiles were given out to residents as well. Former Mayor Stew Young and NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar gave a helping hand to residents and organizers of the GoFundMe.

“They’re helping the other residents of Langford. These are people that live in Langford, they’re residents of Langford helping these people in their time of need,” said Young.

“My family moved here 20 years ago and I know confidently that if it was family in need, people in my community would step up to help me,” said Parmar.

Not all residents from the 88 units picked up their cheques, but Foxall says they’ll be contacting them personally to give them their portion of fund. She adds that the group is keeping tabs on all residents continuously in case help is still needed.

READ PREVIOUS:

• April 25: Displaced Langford high-rise residents frustrated over lack of answers, support: ‘We deserve to live there’
• April 26: Who should cover emergency costs for Langford’s RidgeView Place tenants?
• April 27: RidgeView Place tenants insurance deny claims; Centurion offers additional funds
• April 27: ‘I am asking you to please leave’: Langford mayor provides update on RidgeView Place
• April 28: Ridgeview Place tenant worries about financial help that has yet to arrive
• May 2: Langford matching donations up to $75,000 for RidgeView Place tenants
• May 2: Still no timeline for tenants, preschool to return to Langford tower plagued by safety woes
• May 5: Residents from Ridgeview Place to start seeing money from funds today
• May 8: Langford to hold meeting with council for RidgeView tenants
• May 9: Few answers, lots of frustration in Langford’s RidgeView Place meeting

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