Minister Currie has directed his staff to schedule a meeting with residents to ask how the province and the greater Charlottetown community can assist them during this transition.

Staff of the Department of Social Services and Seniors will form a planning group to develop partnerships with the community and offer residents all provincial supports and services for which they might qualify, such as affordable housing units and social assistance.

“Moving is a difficult and stressful situation in the best of circumstances, and many of these residents are seniors and families,” said Minister Currie. “Some are concerned they will be left homeless as a result of this re-zoning, and the Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to helping them explore all of their options during this difficult situation,” he said.

All 19 residents of the Idle Wheels community, located at the corner of Allan St. and Mt. Edward Rd. in Parkdale, are looking for a new place to live after the property owner announced plans to construct a new apartment building on the site.

Minister Currie, who is also the MLA for the area, says he has heard from several concerned residents who say there is nowhere to relocate, and even if a new site was found, some of the oldest homes may not survive a move.