'We lost our lives back there in Jasper': Non-essential evacuees waiting to get temporary housing approval
CTV
More than a month has passed since wildfires tore through the Town of Jasper and many evacuees are still waiting to return to the community. With emergency support ending as of Tuesday, the province is finding temporary solutions for its residents.
More than a month has passed since wildfires tore through the Town of Jasper and many evacuees are still waiting to return to the community. With emergency support ending as of Tuesday, the province is finding temporary solutions for its residents.
Iarema Pokotskyi, a Jasper evacuee, told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday that his employer hopes to have the local law firm up and running by the end of the month, but Pokotskyi still won't have a place to call home.
"We filled out that housing survey from the Jasper municipality, but they prioritize essential workers," said Pokotskyi. "Me and my wife, we are not falling into that category."
Essential workers including public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure and essential government services are the ones being approved for temporary housing in hotels.
According to Pokotskyi, the Red Cross approved another week for his temporary housing but said he had to move locations and became confused by their process.
"It took two days of uncertainty until I got a final answer from them," he said. "It looks like there's a lot of miscommunication between the Government of Alberta and the Red Cross."
CTV News Edmonton reached out to Ric McIver, the minister of municipal affairs, regarding assessing the needs of residents and the process to get temporary housing.
