Steve Allin, executive director of the Journey Neighbourhood Centre, a community support organization on Ardglen, says the local hub is working together with the Region of Peel to try and find housing for the residents.

Brampton Ward 3 Regional Councillor Martin Medeiros said regional staff have met with at least 18 families and reached out to community housing providers as well as landlords to request their assistance in securing temporary housing units.

Allin said it's easy for those living in vulnerable communities like Ardglen to lose their homes when faced with a financial setback.

“This is just another in a litany of issues,” he said. “What’s unique, sadly, is there’s been a lot of tragedy."

A massive blaze at one of the other five buildings on the property killed a 10-year-old boy and destroyed the building in June 2014.

Brampton fire crews put out hot spots on the roof of a townhouse complex at 59 Ardglen Dr. The fire claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy and left roughly 100 residents homeless in 2014. — Jason Spencer/Torstar

In August 2016, previous owners Wynn Properties Inc. were fined $100,000 for fire-code violations in the seven remaining buildings as a result of a fire inspection blitz.

Natalie Stogdill, Senior Advisor of Public Relations at the city of Brampton, told the Guardian a followup inspection revealed the company had completed the orders issued at that time.

When Starlight Investments bought the property in Sept. 2018, a new order to comply was issued for the three roofs now set for repair and heat detectors were installed as an interim measure.

“Brampton Fire is working with (Starlight) and meeting regularly to monitor progress and ensure compliance is achieved,” Stogdill said.

Danny Roth, Starlight spokesperson and president of Brandon Communications denies assertions from some tenants they’re being forced out so Starlight can renovate and re-lease the units at a higher rent.

“Not only do tenants have a legal right to the units, but we want them back at the same rent, in their same units as early as possible,” he said.

However some tenants, like Keira Clarke, won't return when repairs are complete. The 24-year-old, a single mother, with two young children, who will be headed to college in the fall, had difficulty finding welcoming landlords. However, she has found a basement apartment in Brampton for herself and her two children, aged 10 months and four years.

Clarke, who is starting classes at Sheridan College's Davis campus in September, said she's happy to leave but will now be further from her "support system" of friends and family as well as school.

Jamie Holtom, founder of the Journey and minister at North Bramalea United Church, said he's satisfied Starlight is trying to help the residents through a difficult situation.

Keira Clarke, with her children Nova-Reign, 10 months; and Chase, 4; won't return to their Ardglen Drive unit when repairs are complete. Riziero Vertolli/Torstar

Tenants will be compensated for three-months' rent at their current rate, reimbursed for a moving truck, and the company will keep units vacant for those who plan to return but sign a one-year lease elsewhere.

But some residents with deep roots in the community say the move will have more than a financial impact.

Andree Franciskovic, 79, said she and her husband, Bruno, were shocked to learn they’d soon have to move from the townhouse they’ve shared for 35 years.

The couple emigrated from France in 1966, with three children in tow, and moved to Brampton in 1984 to be closer to their eldest daughter, on whom they rely for rides to frequent medical appointments.

They are welcome at their son's place in Windsor, Ont., but Ardglen will always be their home, she said.

"I don't know how much time I have left,” she said. “When God call’s me, I’ll have to go. After that, they can do what they want."

To find out how you can help the Ardglen community, please contact The Journey Neighbourhood Centre at 905-230-8666 or steveallin01@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: These poll results are not scientific. They are the informal findings of a survey presented to the readers of the Brampton Guardian and reflect the opinions of those readers who have chosen to participate. The survey is available online to anyone who is interested in taking it.