HARVIE HEIGHTS – For those familiar with issues related to affordable housing in the Bow Valley, it’s well known the situation crosses many social, cultural and economic boundaries.
Often, it’s young people arriving in the valley for seasonal work who can’t find a place to call home, even temporarily. Then again, there seems to be a growing number of people taking to vans as a housing solution.
On the other hand, there are long time valley residents like Larry Fremes, who, in a search for affordable housing, has tried everything from living in a tent in Banff, to moving to Calgary, to a current mouse-infested lower floor unit in a Harvie Heights home – a place he needs to be out at the end of the month due to the sale of the property. He’s been in the shabbily fitted lower floor Harvie Heights suite for two and a half years.
Over the years, Fremes, a Banffite by heart who has lived in the valley for 35 years, has lived in a number of locations, but it’s the last four that became a not very merry-go-round.
He’s been a self employed tour guide and driver and currently works for a Banff operation – while looking for yet another place to call home.
About four years ago, after a conflict with a “negligent neighbour,” as he called them, Fremes was forced out of his rented Banff townhouse. At that time, he immediately became homeless and was forced to live in a tent in campgrounds for a couple of months while trying to run a tour company he founded.
That took him into cooler fall weather, when he got a room in the old Arrow Motel in Banff, which was somewhat affordable. The Arrow, though, was being torn down to be replaced by today’s Moose. From there, it was Beaver Street cabins, which was, “OK for visitors, but inadequate and expensive,” said Fremes.
He was in a cabin until January, 2015, then rented at Tunnel Mountain Chalets at a reasonable rate in the off season; a suite with a kitchen and bedroom, that also wouldn’t work as a permanent solution.
That spring he became homeless again and had to put all his stuff in storage and briefly ended up in Calgary in a dumpy hotel.
Unhappy with the place, he moved out to the Shuswap in British Columbia to camp for the summer, and thought he had secured a place in Canmore, but when that fell through he moved back to Calgary to a townhouse in Bowness.
“That was fine, but it’s Calgary,” said Fremes, adding that despite having a long working relationship with a sports group there employment didn’t work out.
“Being in Calgary was not where I wanted to be, or needed to be. I’m a Banff guy, that’s home.”
After nine months in Calgary, during poor economic times, he then moved into his current location in Harvie Heights in May 2016.
But with the sale of the home in which he lives in the dimly lit flower floor, Fremes, now 62, is searching for accommodation once again.
Over the four-plus years since he left Banff, he’s been searching Kijiji and Facebook, sometimes several times a day, and networking through friends to try and find an affordable, one-bedroom, unfurnished apartment.
The not very merry-go-round continues.
According to Fremes, he’s worked in tours and transportation since 1983 and started his own business in 1986.
“Essentially I have been self-employed for 30 years. I also did freelance tour management from ’89 to 2000 and took over the Pro Hockey Experience, giving people insight into Canada’s game,” said Fremes.
“That went for many years, but the economy crashing, impacted many business, including mine, and it was never the same after that. By 2015 it wasn’t paying the bills.”
Now, as a full time tour guide in Banff, he said he needs help.
“I’m in a situation where I need some help. My vision of Banff is locals help locals. It’s been that way for many, many years.
“I don’t need a lot, but something suitable and affordable. My landlord here has violated tenant rights many times, but I’ve been afraid to speak out because landlords have the upper hand, which is a spinoff of the housing crisis.
“I want to be in Banff, it’s home. I’m employed, I don’t drink or smoke, don’t have pets. I like Harvie Heights, but there’s a lack of secondary suites. It’s quiet and the people are nice, but here the living conditions are substandard. I’m living with mice in the stove, the kitchen counter and coffee table. There’s no washer and dryer, so I wash my clothes in the sink.”
As he continues the search for yet another affordable housing situation, Fremes is trying everything he can think of, including reaching out to the media.
“I thought I’d reach out to those who care and those who know me. This was a way recommended to me by a friend who’s media savvy.
“It’s a hot topic and likely number one in the area. But having longevity and the reputation I have, I’m hoping to find something. I’m as good a tenant as you’ll find. I feel I have the best possible credentials as a prospective tenant.”
Should nothing become available, Fremes said he may have to put his things in storage again, although he’s also willing to consider shared accommodation in the right situation. He’s even considered selling his current vehicle and purchasing a van to live in, but with winter approaching it’s not an ideal situation.
“This has been very stressful, especially with another deadline approaching. You hear of people renting out garages, closets, people with jobs living in the woods; those are old stories and all part of the housing crisis.”
In reaching out, Fremes is asking anyone with a solid lead on housing to call him at 403-431-4789 or emailing [email protected].
