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I've been a tenant of Greater Sudbury Housing (GSH) for several years and I have friends and family who have been, as well, for even longer.
In the past five years or so, it seems that services from staff are getting more and more unsatisfactory. I don't know if it's budget issues, problems with top management or staffing issues, but the residents are the ones paying the ultimate price.
Back when Mark Scarfone was in charge, there was more support for tenants and volunteers. In fact, under his leadership, grants were made available for tenant groups to hold social events. There was funding for community gardens and, at one point, there was even a liaison officer to facilitate communication between tenant groups and housing staff.
All of that is gone now. It's bad enough that tenant groups' hands are severely tied when it comes to fundraising, but losing the funding that housing provided has pretty much put a damper on any groups thriving.
Then there's maintenance and upkeep. If you live in one of their highrises, you'll see stained carpets in the hallways. Those carpets are all over 10 years old and get a wash every couple of years. We used to be able to do our laundry 24/7, but now we're forced into a 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule. For those of us who are more active or able to work better at night, this puts us at a disadvantage. Their reasoning? If something breaks, they don't have staff on hand to help during the off hours.
Does this mean that if my toilet breaks at 2 a.m., I have to wait until 8 to get help? I think not.
Garbage accumulates on the grounds and is not picked up unless residents step in to do it. Benches are removed so that people are not able to sit comfortably and socialize with their neighbours. I'm talking about seating that's been there for decades suddenly being taken away from residents; not because it's in poor condition, but to prevent gatherings of any kind.
In a world where we are mostly concerned about putting an end to homelessness, this is what they have to look forward to.
Don't get me wrong. I am very grateful for my home. Always aware that this is the last stop before being homeless myself, I take every precaution to maintain the status quo, but in the end, staff at housing manage to make you feel "less than".
It's no wonder so many residents get discouraged, depressed and isolate themselves in these places.
A few years ago, management told me that the city was expecting them to increase customer satisfaction because it had been very poor. If I worked at the city right now, I'd be giving them a failing grade.
Nothing has improved. In fact, things keep getting worse.
Most Sudbury residents know someone living in subsidized housing and may not know how it gets for those living in poverty. Many of you already volunteer to alleviate some of the hardships they go through, but honestly, why do city staff keep getting raises when they put so many expectations on their volunteers?
Perhaps new leadership is needed. At the very least, an in-depth review of housing services is long overdue.
D. Rawlings
Sudbury