Transparency needed in senior home sale deal

While civic records indicate the current owners of Marian Hall, previously a school for troubled girls before becoming a seniors’ home in 1978, are Montreal St. Patrick's Orphan Asylum and Marian Hall Inc., officials contacted at the residence seemed to muddy the waters on this matter when asked to comment.

Indications are the property is to be sold to a local developer who already operates a luxury seniors’ complex in the city with monthly rents of $1,700 to $3,200, which are about triple of what the current tenants of Marian Hall pay now. The hall, according to some tenants, needs to be upgraded and renovated but a move to a luxury residence is something that will be out of the financial reach for most of the 50 to 60 seniors living there.

The seniors currently living at Marian Hall should be told what is going on and be given enough time to find alternative affordable housing in the West Island, which is easier said than done.

The proprietors should come clean and let tenants know about their plans to sell the hall and give them a timeframe on a possible sale. As well, the Christian thing to do would be to offer them assistance and guidance in finding new accommodations. Uncertainty over the possibility of being forced out of one’s longtime home is stressful enough for anyone, but considering these people are in their golden age, it makes it even worse.