Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Feb 01/02) - Tenants in seven public housing units in Fort Providence are on the brink of eviction.

At least some of those in question have racked up thousands of dollars in arrears, according to Allen Bouvier, manager of the Fort Providence Housing Association. For those with no reported income, monthly rent is $32.

"Some tenants haven't even walked in here once in the four years I've been here to pay $32," Bouvier said.

The Housing Association has sent three letters to each client, given a final warning and a notice to vacate, according to Bouvier.

"Now the only alternative is eviction," he said.

Most of the tenants will find alternative accommodations with family or friends, he said.

Bouvier noted that the Housing Association has a waiting list of nearly 30 people who are seeking one of the 97 public housing units.

Sam Gargan, chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation, said the band is not about to intervene in the situation.

"I don't think you should mix band business with housing business," Gargan said. "They follow their own process. We've met on it already and our decision is that the housing board doesn't tell us what to do and we're not about to start telling them what to do."

A Supreme Court judge will review the status of each case and make the final decision.

"The matters are now with our legal firm, and it's out of the association's hands," said Bouvier. "We've done everything we can."