Yesterday was the long-awaited move-in day for residents of Jasper’s interim housing.
On, February 26, 2025, the first of hundreds of Jasperites displaced by the July 24, 2024 wildfire were handed the keys to their new lodgings.
“So stoked and so happy,” Philip Samonte said about his mood as he, along with his wife, May, and sister, Theresa, carted their belongings into their new, temporary home on the recently named Arnica Avenue.
The Samontes have had more than a few temporary homes since July. After their three-bedroom apartment was destroyed, they moved into a room at a local hotel—the Marmot Lodge. Then they moved to the Lobstick Lodge. Then to Pine Bungalows. For the last several months, they have been living at the Jasper Inn and Suites.
“We’ve been so grateful for the hotels, they have been so accommodating,” Philip said.
Moreover, they are relieved—that whether or not they will have a place to live is no longer hanging in the balance.
“It’s been really stressful,” Philip said.
On Wednesday, the Samontes were one of several families moving into one of 100 duplex-style trailers procured by Parks Canada for displaced residents in the aftermath of last summer’s wildfire disaster. The JRCC said 20 leases were signed on February 26, with another 20 sets of keys to be handed over the next day.
“It’s happening,” said Logan Ireland, Recovery Project Manager with the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC).
In December, after months of impasse between the province and local planners, the federal government secured $30 million worth of interim housing for Jasper’s displaced residents. The provincial government’s housing prescription, which Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver downplayed on Edmonton talk show host Ryan Jespersen’s Feb 7 episode, was deemed unsuitable for Jasper’s housing needs.
The Canadian Red Cross, which has been involved in Jasper’s recovery since the earliest days of the emergency, is managing Jasper’s interim lodging. Kim MacLean, Senior Director of Emergency Operations with the Canadian Red Cross, said there was a sense of urgency to help transition families out of hotels and into more stable housing.
“Hotel living…where you’re constantly moving around…is not the best choice for anyone,” MacLean said.
Since February 15, hundreds of interim housing units have been trucked into Jasper. Eighty of the duplex units—14 x 60-foot wellsite-style trailers typically used for remote worksite living—have been placed on recently-serviced parcels of land designated for interim housing.
Another 20 duplexes, plus 120 dorm-style, shared units, are currently being set up at Marmot Meadows, adjacent to Whistlers Campground approximately 2 km south of the townsite.
More housing options on additional parcels within the townsite are being explored, according to the JRCC.
Logan Ireland said the day was another monumental milestone on the road to Jasper’s recovery.
“It’s an enormously significant day for all of us here involved in the recovery effort, but more importantly for these Jasperites [moving in], many of whom have had no place to call home for months,” Ireland said.
Between four different parcels along Connaught Drive, 4.2 hectares of land has been made available in Jasper for interim housing. The limited amount of space required a high-density housing solution in order to meet the community’s pressing housing needs. Ireland expressed gratitude for residents’ willingness to accept the compact living arrangements in order to help more Jasperites.
“It gives their neighbours the opportunity to have a home as well,” Ireland said.
The JRCC has said that priority for the interim housing would go to the 70 families being housed in local hotels. A housing matrix, established by the JRCC, ensures that the town and park have the necessary personnel to operate effectively, the JRCC has said.
For the Samonte family, who came to Jasper from the Philippines 14 years ago, until the Parks Canada housing was confirmed, they weren’t sure if they’d be able to stay in Jasper. After so many months of uncertainty, and with their hotel stay expiring at the end of February, Philip was talking about uprooting.
“We were really worried we might end up leaving Jasper,” he said.
Philip was forming potential plans in his mind. But May didn’t want to move. And their 10-year-old son didn’t want to, either.
“Even when the fire happened and we didn’t have a home, I never thought of leaving,” May said. “I love Jasper because of the community. We help each other out. We support each other.”
Now the Samontes are the first occupants of a new community. They’ll make the best of it, Philip said.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” he said. “We’re close to our friends, we know some neighbours. Our families can take care of each other.”
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
