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Shuswap wildfire evacuee grateful after wheelchair-accessible housing found

含羞草研究社業t含羞草研究社檚 like I含羞草研究社檝e been muddling through a very dark tunnel含羞草研究社 and finally I含羞草研究社檝e just burst into daylight含羞草研究社
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Displaced by the Bush Creek East wildfire, former North Shuswap resident LJ Folden sits in his room at the Sorrento Inn, where he had until the end of April to find new accommodation. Folden moved into new accommodation in Chase on May 2, 2024. (File photo)

LJ Folden exudes optimism and gratitude now that he has a place to temporarily call home.

Displaced last August when the Bush Creek East wildfire destroyed his rental accommodation in Scotch Creek, the former North Shuswap resident was recently at risk of becoming homeless on April 30, when he was expected to vacate the Sorrento hotel where he含羞草研究社檇 been staying. After sharing his , offers of support were received and eventually new accommodation was found in Chase.

Folden is one of a number of evacuees lined up for a housing project in Chase that is still under development and may not be completed for another four to six months, leaving them in need of a place to stay in the interim. On disability, Folden said his struggle was finding a place that is wheelchair accessible.

含羞草研究社淪omebody has opened up their house for me and I get the top half of the house until this building is built that I can move into permanently,含羞草研究社 said Folden in a May 1 interview. 含羞草研究社淭he guy is a contractor so he built a skookum, beautiful little ramp for me. He含羞草研究社檚 an incredibly thoughtful, considerate guy.含羞草研究社

Folden said he含羞草研究社檚 also received donated financial support to assist with his rent through the coming months.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 like I含羞草研究社檝e been muddling through a very dark tunnel for two years and finally I含羞草研究社檝e just burst into daylight,含羞草研究社 said Folden. 含羞草研究社淭hat含羞草研究社檚 the difference it含羞草研究社檚 made in my life. It含羞草研究社檚 night and day, literally.含羞草研究社

Folden is grateful to everyone who has provided support, especially to Salmon Arm resident Monica Gail Kriese who has been helping him and others in his situation find a housing alternative. Another two are seniors. Kriese said funding was found for them to extend their current accommodation until May 15. One of them may have a 5th wheel lined up to live in afterwards until the Chase development is ready. However, they含羞草研究社檙e in need of a place to park it over the coming summer months. The other has a property where she could place a camper or trailer, but does not have one.

含羞草研究社淚f a fifth wheel or camper came up that could be rented for four months, or a cabin, that would be good too. We含羞草研究社檙e still searching,含羞草研究社 said Kriese.

Folden anticipated moving into his new rental accommodation on May 2.

含羞草研究社淧eople are going to show up here in the morning at 9 a.m. to help me load all my stuff in my car and then we go to Chase and they help me unload it all,含羞草研究社 said Folden, overwhelmed by his change of fortune.

Anyone with information about potential housing options may contact Kriese at 250-833-6100.

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Lachlan Labere

About the Author: Lachlan Labere

Editor, Salmon Arm Observer
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