HAGERSVILLE—According to property manager Chad Barber, conditions at Hagersville’s independently-owned supportive housing facility formerly known as Lawson House are hopefully improving following a rough November that saw one tenant die of an overdose and a violent altercation involving edged weapons on November 29.
The Press reported on the building in October 2020 when former Councillor Tony Dalimonte called the home a much-needed resource, praising it for providing support to area residents living with mental health issues. That article noted the house was mandated to follow guidance as laid out by the Canadian Mental Health Association, with routine visits by social workers, nurses, the Health Board, and the Fire Department.
The building was closed in February 2021, with Haldimand Fire Chief Jason Gallagher reporting “multiple violations of the fire code, as well as the building code” at that time.
The facility was later purchased by Sam Ziemann, a private owner who hired Barber to help with some renovation work on the home, which led to an offer to be the property manager.
Barber spoke about recent events within the building: “(In one) week alone a girl died from an overdose … (and one) night there was a massive beating…. A girl got stabbed in the throat.”
He continued, “It’s a horrible risk to the community right now.… The cops have been here about 14 times in the last month alone. There’s violence, there’s drug activity. You go there on a random day, and you might find five or six needles in the parking lot. It’s gone downhill.”
Following a Press request for information from the OPP to corroborate Barber’s account, the OPP issued a release noting that they responded to a report of assault on November 29, 2023 at approximately 7:45 p.m.
“The investigation determined that six individuals were engaged in a verbal argument that turned into a physical altercation involving edged weapons. Two injured people were located and transported to hospital with serious injuries,” read the report, adding that one person had been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, while three other individuals had been identified in the incident with arrest warrants issued.
In an initial interview, Barber made several mentions of collaborations with what he referred to as ‘Haldimand Housing’, noting that as part of upcoming renovations that will force the current tenants to find alternative housing while the work is done, there were talks of plans to build five ‘transient units’ in partnership with ‘Haldimand Housing’, who would provide 24-hour staffing for those utilizing the rooms.
“I’ve been there a month and I’ve not seen support staff in there once. It is a government housing nightmare,” said Barber.
The Press inquired about any potential collaborations with Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC). CEO Matt Bowen stated, “I don’t know this owner. I’ve never talked to him; I don’t even know his name. I’ve never even spoken or exchanged an email with him. This is kind of hitting us from left field.… If there was a partnership like this, I would know about it. I have a relationship with every community organization.”
He noted that if a tenant in the King Street building called Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services and requested help, “a worker might have went out. I don’t know because that’s a whole other department and division we have nothing to do with.”
Sarah Page, General Manager of Haldimand Health and Social Services, which runs the County’s homeless prevention and support services, explained, “The residence in question (formerly Lawson House) is a privately owned and operated house that has renters/tenants living in Hagersville. This is not a property owned or operated by Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation, nor is it licensed or funded through Haldimand Norfolk Social Services and Housing Department. We cannot speak to any resources that the tenants involved would access for their own housing, medical, or social needs currently, or in the past.”
The Press reached out to former Lawson House manager Jody Jarrett, who was managing the facility during the article in 2020, hoping for some clarification on who was providing the services reported at the time. Jarrett did not respond, and with both County housing support services claiming no connection to the building now or previously, it remains a mystery.
While there is no formal connection between the building and County services, Page noted, “All tenants across Haldimand and Norfolk, either in supported, affordable, or market rent units, have access to the housing support services provided by the Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services division…. These supports may include financial supports, eviction prevention programs, or system navigation assistance for social and/or health services across our communities. Our housing support service workers have extensive experience in directing resources, service availability and accessibility, and guiding clients through challenges they may face in terms of housing stability.”
The Press tried repeatedly to contact Ziemann, the current owner of the building, as Barber said it was Ziemann who told him that ‘Haldimand Housing’ was collaborating on the upcoming transient units. Despite Barber noting that Ziemann wished to speak with us about the matter, he did not respond to any requests for comment.
Barber shared that Ziemann told him he would like to “get some awareness and let the town know we’re working on it. As it is now, he has a hard time even getting contractors in there. You phone somebody and they say ‘no, we don’t want to go in there’.”
Barber added that several tenants in the home are not currently keeping up with their rent, despite receiving disability support specifically to do so. Despite the lack of clarity, Barber said he is doing everything he can in his current position to improve conditions in the building for those living there.
He believes the potential remains for it to be a useful resource in the community. Since taking over, he has enlisted the help of some tenants, assigning them simple jobs such as minor repairs or cleaning shared areas and offering them rent discounts in exchange.
“That has been working because it gives them something to do and a useful mentality rather than sitting there stewing,” said Barber. “I’d like to see it turn into something that actually helps people. I’ve actually got the building somewhat under control right now. I know it sucks, but the last overdose kind of woke everybody up.”
Still, despite those efforts, he said these recent incidents should be a wakeup call for all involved: “People are dying and two people are in the hospital. Something has got to change or it’s going to keep going downhill.”
