Residents of Vancouver assisted-living facility feeling trapped by weather

Elizabeth Perron often leaves the Kelly Court apartment complex in her motorized wheelchair several times a day. 

Usually, she grabs a bite, picks up some groceries, and visits friends and family.

But lately, the simple task of leaving the building has become nearly impossible.

"You feel helpless. You can't get out," said Perron. "There's no way to go to the store."

The Vancouver apartment complex on Nootka street near Grandview Highway offers apartment units for the physically-challenged and their families.

Perron says most tenants rely on wheelchairs, but with snow collecting outside the building since the first major snowfall in early December, the road has become nearly impassable for them.

"You get stuck very easily and once you get stuck there's no one to help you," said Kelly Court resident Larry Relkoff.

"When the people come to the rescue it takes a long time and then you freeze."

Relkoff says many of them have been depending on friends and family to bring them groceries and other necessary items. But other tasks are left undone.

"A lot of people want to go to their appointments or want to shop," said Relkoff. 

"Christmas is coming."

Calls to the city

Residents of the care facility say the City of Vancouver is responsible for clearing snow from Nootka Street.

They say they've put in multiple requests to the city to get the street cleaned up, but the issue remained unresolved.

"They said they're responsible for it but they can only do so much," said June Edgars, whose son is physically disabled.

"I said people in wheelchairs and blind people will be stuck in for weeks and they said there's nothing they could do about it. They said they're only doing major routes."

The City of Vancouver responded by saying that its snow-clearing crews were caught in a backlog of calls.

"However, given the residents who use the alley, we have redirected some crews to go to this site and help clear the alley or lane for the residents this evening," said city spokesperson Tobin Postma.

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Sidewalks not cleared

Residents also complained about snow piling up on the sidewalks surrounding the housing facility.

The Kelly Court housing facility is operated by Metro Vancouver. It says crews have been clearing the sidewalks and pathways around the building consistently this month.

"We have received a few calls from residents and have responded appropriately [and will] be sending out staff to address any challenges," said Metro Vancouver spokesperson, Don Bradley.

"A contractor was already on route to continue maintain the pathways."

CBC confirmed with residents their sidewalks had been cleared later that night.

Meanwhile, tenants are hoping the situation is better handled the next time it snows.

"I'm hoping it gets plowed, you know cleaned out the day that it happens," said Perron. "That way we don't have to wait on this, because it's ridiculous."