Apartment residents that were displaced by a massive fire last month will be given some financial support, Toronto Community Housing said on Saturday.
But some tenants of 200 Wellesley St. said the help will not be enough, considering hundreds of them are still not allowed to return home after a fire in a unit on the apartment's 24th floor forced a building-wide evacuation, last month.
More than 1,200 people were forced to live in community centres or with friends while the building was repaired.
Hundreds of people in the building's north tower are still not allowed to return home, waiting for inspectors to deem their apartments livable.
Toronto fire officials said the unit that caught fire was so packed with belongings it was nearly impossible to contain the blaze. It took five million gallons of water to extinguish the fire – enough to fill almost eight Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Toronto Community Housing says it could take up to three months before all residents are back at home.
At a meeting with north tower residents on Saturday, housing officials announced some financial support, promising to help cover everything from clothing and food to rent.
Late next week, tenants will receive a one-time clothing allowance. Tenants in bachelor apartments will be given $150, while those in two bedroom homes will be given $300.
North tower residents, where the blaze took place, will not have to pay rent in November, and residents who are staying with family or friends will be given $10 a day, for the next 30 days, to help cover costs.
"We recognize that they also need to sustain themselves while they are out of their unit, We are offering that in addition to the other supports that we have provided," said Mitzi Benjamin, a spokeswoman for Toronto Community Housing.
Benjamin added that tenants are already being offered bus tokens and food vouchers.
Tomorrow, officials will meet with residents of the south tower, who have already returned home.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Galit Soloman
