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95-year-old living in B.C. emergency room after eviction from care home
James Cullina is looking for a new home.
The 95-year-old has been living in the emergency department at Peace Arch Hospital for five days after running out of money to pay his rent at Sunnyside Manor, an independent living residence for seniors in White Rock.
“In the first couple of years, like two or three years, it was fine,” Cullina, who is a U.S. citizen and came to Canada 30 years ago, told Global News.
But he said as costs kept going up, living there was costing him more and more money.
“And I didn’t have any more and more money,” Cullina added.
After he used up his life savings and loans of $25,000, he said he was evicted on Sept. 30 from Sunnyside. He stayed for a day or two with a member of his church but that was not a long-term solution.
The next day, he said he was dropped off at Peace Arch Hospital.
“I find it very inhumane for a 95-year-old old being kicked out (of) a home where he is living,” friend and supporter Marnellie Agpoon told Global News.
Cullina’s friends have tried to find alternate housing for him but were told he didn’t qualify for long-term care.
Cullina said he never imagined he would be 95 years old with nowhere to call home.
Global News contacted Sunnyside Manor for comment, but we were told on Sunday that no one was available to answer questions.
However, the organization did release a statement on Monday saying in part:
“The residence does not provide care or supportive services, nor is it an assisted living facility. Our mission is to provide affordable housing solutions for low-to-middle-income individuals, making Sunnyside Manor one of the more affordable independent living options for seniors in the South Surrey and White Rock areas.
“We can confirm that Sunnyside Manor has never abandoned a tenant at the hospital due to inability to pay rent. Once a tenant has left and is under the care of their family or an individual with power of attorney, Sunnyside can no longer involved in their decisions or housing choices.”
The organization also said that staff strive to provide information to tenants and their families who may have difficulty paying rent and will offer guidance on suitable options under the guidelines set by the Residential Tenancy Branch.
In a statement on Sunday, Fraser Health said staff at the hospital are providing Cullina with health services and connecting him with other support in the community.
Cullina said he wants his story told as he never wants this to happen to anyone else.
After losing his home of almost a decade, he said he is not excited about trying to find a new one.
“Where would I like to go next?” he said.
“To heaven. I’d like to go to heaven. Wherever that is.”
— with files from Julia Foy
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