Salvation Army hoping town will step up, help those displaced by fire

After a rooming house in Happy Valley-Goose Bay was ruined in a fire Friday morning, the local Salvation Army is hoping the community will step in to help the people displaced.

Many of the 11 people displaced by the blaze were receiving social assistance, and now find themselves without a roof over their heads.

• Rooming house gutted in Happy Valley-Goose Bay fire

The town is already experiencing a shortage of rental units and affordable housing; last year, a 40-room boarding house closed down, leaving 32 people without a home.

Lt. Brent Haas with the Salvation Army said the community stepped in to help then — and he doesn't expect to be disappointed this time, either.

"It will take the effort and partnerships of many different groups and organizations as well as government, but this community has proven itself in the past," he said.

"I'm confident that we'll reach out and help these individuals through a very difficult time."

The Salvation Army and other community groups found accommodations for the 11 displaced people at a local hotel over the weekend.

However, they're hoping that by Monday a long-term solution will be found.