| Dec 04, 2014


Severe mold, later confirmed to be many times over safe limits, forced Danielle Pollard to vacate her home at Kaladar in late September, her young daughter in tow.

This week, after a series of measures had been taken by the landlord, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), the house has been given a clean bill of health as far as air quality is concerned, and Pollard is preparing to move back in.

However there are a few loose ends. Much of her furniture, and all the mattresses in the house could not be successfully freed of mold and have been thrown out.

“I asked them about my out of pocket costs for furniture and they told me that they had informed me when I moved in that I should obtain renter's insurance. I did that, but my renter's insurance does not cover damage due to mold. I'd say that is the responsibility of the landlord,” said Pollard.

In an email to her from OAHS, a commitment was made to look at relief from rent and hydro payments that Pollard has made for October and November, but when she pointed out that her renter's insurance does not cover mold damage in an email to OAHS they did not respond.

“I'm going to have to bring the financial matters to a Landord-Tenant Board tribunal,” said Pollard.

Before moving back in, Pollard is checking all the household items to make sure they are mold-free and, with the help of her church, friends and neighbours, is working on replacing the household items she needs to be comfortable in the house.

“I am a bit nervous about moving back in, because even with the inspection and the measures that have been taken to prevent mold from coming back, I still fear that it will come back, and where will I be then?” she said.

Last year, Pollard left an OAHS house in Northbrook because of mold in the basement, only to find her Kaladar home filled with mold in September.

OAHS Executive Director Don McBain, responded to a question about compensation for Danielle Pollard via email this week.

“I have requested a report from our property management division on current discussions with the client” he said. There are 9 Ontario Aboriginal Housing Corporation homes in Addington Highlands, 13 in North Frontenac, 19 in Central Frontenac, 4 in South Frontenac, 3 in Westport, 4 in Tay Valley, and 22 in the Township of Rideau Lakes, making it one of the largest providers of rent-subsidised housing in the region.

McBain said that of the 61 units listed above, 55 are currently occupied, 5 are being rehabilitated and prepared for new tenants, and one is in need of more major repairs, which will be undertaken next spring.

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