Inuvik (Mar 10/06) - With his lease from the Inuvik Housing Authority terminated, elder Sandy Stefansson, a cancer survivor who is currently suffering from pneumonia, believes his future is grim.

Sixty-seven-year-old Sandy Stefansson describes the events that led to the termination of his tenancy in a housing authority residence at 45A Dolphin Street. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"I don't know what I'm going to do - probably hang myself," he said while family friends were helping him pack. "Housing doesn't want me, I'm under a doctor's care and can't make it in the bush."

Stefansson's tenancy came into question following a 10-day trip to Aklavik when he let his stepson James Arey take care of the place.

"I said no drinking while dad's gone and he said 'OK dad,' and I come back to bad news," he said. "Everything was upside down."

Stefansson, who has been a housing authority tenant for six or seven years, admits it wasn't the best idea to leave his stepson with the keys, but added, "I let him come here because he's homeless and has no place to go."

Now, Stefansson finds himself in the very same situation.

"It's not fair. James was letting people in, doing anything for a drink, the fire extinguisher got sprayed," said family friend Lisa Cardinal of the situation that led to Stefansson's tenancy termination.

In addition to damage caused by tenants, disturbances are another factor the housing authority must take into consideration when deciding on the future of a tenant's occupancy in a unit, says manager Vicky Boudreau.

While unable to speak about the particulars of any given case, Boudreau explained the housing authority's position on such matters.

"If we don't deal with people causing disturbances, the other tenants can take us to the rental officer for failing to provide them with

quiet enjoyment of their premises," she said.

"It's part of being a landlord to deal with people who cause disturbances to other tenants or fail to pay their rent."

Last month, the housing authority provided Stefansson with a letter informing him that his tenancy would be terminated at the end of February. However, it gave him a week extension until the end of the week (March 10).

According to Boudreau, Stefansson appeared before the authority's board to make his appeal, but was unsuccessful in his bid to maintain his tenancy. "He's even got one more option," she added.

"He can go to the rental officer and have his hearing there, or we can bring the case if he doesn't move out."

Seniors who are tenants with the authority don't pay any rent. Tenants on income support and students pay $32 a month and other clients' rental rates are based on a sliding scale.

"This amounts to between 15 and 18 per cent of their income," said Boudreau.

The housing authority pays utilities on all of its units.

When the ailing Stefansson was asked if he would consider moving to long-term care at the hospital, the elder said he feared losing his independence.

"I'd be better off dead."