Taylor Clark
LJI Reporter
A community initiative has emerged to help people get back on their feet after a late June fire at the Aylmer Arms apartments.
Made up of Aylmer district councillors and members of local organizations, along with support from Pontiac MP André Fortin and Hull-Aylmer MP Greg Fergus, Aylmer Arms Solidarity is striving to mobilize the community and centralize fundraising efforts to support those displaced by the fire on the evening on June 29.
The Aylmer Arms apartments comprise 101 affordable housing units for those aged 55 and up with the average rent being $700 per month.
Galeries Aylmer general manager and president of the community campaign Guy Leblanc said the fire originated on the fourth floor but left smoke, soot, and water damage throughout the building, leaving many units inhabitable and temporarily relocating around 30 residents. But the larger issue was that 37 apartments were uninsured, said Leblanc.
In a previous interview with our newspaper, Aylmer Arms board president Stéphane Marcil said the building management required tenants’ insurance, but some residents did not acquire coverage. A resident’s tenants’ insurance would cover the loss of personal belongings and decontamination which does not fall under the Aylmer Arms building insurance. Efforts to decontaminate a single unit can cost the tenant up to $10,000.
The necessary work to decontaminate, dispose, and store goods during the work for the uninsured apartments was estimated to cost $350,000. “The objective at $350,000 is not a small amount but we know that the community in Aylmer is close,” said Leblanc.
With only a week into fundraising, traction had been made on the campaign’s online goal thermometer, collecting $8,950. Leblanc hoped to see donations overtake the thermometer in four months.
“The shortage of affordable housing in Gatineau is already a major challenge, and the supply of this type of housing is therefore extremely rare,” said Deschênes district councillor Caroline Murray. “I invite the population to show solidarity to support our neighbours. The community can really make a difference in allowing residents to remain in their neighbourhood, here in Aylmer.”
Donations can be made online at solidariteaylmerarmssolidarity.com and in person in donation boxes across Gatineau, like at the Aylmer Bulletin office in the Galeries Aylmer.
The community can also lend a hand by grabbing a fork at a spaghetti dinner on August 24 at the Aydelu Centre. Tickets ranging from $15 to $25 are available for meals from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available on the Aylmer Arms Solidarity website.
Photo caption: The Aylmer Arms Solidarity Campaign is aiming to fundraise $350,000 to “rebuild lives and provide immediate support” to tenants whose apartments were devastated by the fire on June 29, 2024.
Photo credit: Alana Repstock