Dorian's hurricane-force winds ripped the roof off of an apartment building on Tobin Street

Some residents living on the top floor of a building that was damaged Saturday night are struggling to find a new place to live.

Dorian's hurricane-force winds ripped the roof off of an apartment building at 5310 Tobin Street. A large chunk flew over the building next door, landing in its parking lot on Queen Street.

The residents of both buildings were evacuated that night.

Councillor Waye Mason says the top of 5310 Tobin Street has now been tarped off and those living on the lower floors have been allowed to return to their units, but the tenants on the highest floor have been displaced.

"The roof that is their ceiling needs to be replaced and rebuilt ... and those folks are going to be out for probably around two months," he explains.

He says because the repairs will take so long, some would rather just move to a new apartment.

Mason has heard there are around 10 units on the top floor and he's been in contact with at least three people who haven't been able to arrange alternative accommodations.

"To my surprise, tenants insurance, if they even have it, does not pay for any relocation or accommodations," he says. "The folks so far who have contacted me don't have tenants insurance or it's not covered."

He says Halifax's low vacancy rate, combined with the influx of students at the start of the school year has made finding a new apartment almost impossible.

"I've reached out to a bunch of property owners and all the faith communities -- the synagogues, churches and the Shambhala in my district -- and asked who can help," he says. "I'm starting to get emails back with information about where there are units for rent."

Anyone with a lead on a bachelor apartment in the $600 to $700 a month range is asked to email Waye Mason at waye.mason@halifax.ca.