Community landlords step up to offer space to advocacy organization

Prince Rupert Unemployment Action Centre (PRUAC) is on the move after an electrical fire on Dec. 7 put their office space out of commission.

The new temporary office location will be in Hecate Strait Employment Development Services (HSEDS). The non-profit organization PRUAC which serves the community by way of advocacy and assistance in many ways such as helping to obtain unemployment benefits, government financial aid forms, tenancy issues, and a variety of other matters needs to be in a central location for the clientele to access services.

“Hopefully we won’t be displaced too long,” Paul Lagace coordinator and poverty law advocate said. “The reality is we’d love to say a week, but it could be a month or two.”

Lagace said the community stepped up quickly to help out the service agency. Tom Chang, a landlord in the city, as well as HSEDS offered office space almost immediately to the organization which was in high need. The currently increasing client base and eviction issues are creating a larger than usual demand for services, Legace said.

The move should be complete by the afternoon of Dec. 11 with phone lines running, as they are currently receiving messages only. Services will be offered on an appointment basis on the main floor of HSEDS at 208 First Ave. E. in Cow Bay.