Tuesday, December 4, 2001

Victim didn't do paperwork: Inquest

By BRIAN GRAY, TORONTO SUN

Gillian Hadley never picked up a letter written to get her on a subsidized housing priority list, a coroner's inquest heard yesterday.

Hadley was killed on June 20, 2000, by her husband Ralph, who then killed himself.

"She is in dire need of a new place of residence," the March 31, 2000 letter says after describing her husband lurking around the home.

Gillian requested the letter from Durham Region social services on March 29, 2000 while inquiring into the status of her April assistance cheque, said Joy Mahorn -- her case worker and author of the letter.

But Gillian was told she would have to sign two forms before the letter could be sent to the Durham Region Housing Access Centre, Mahorn testified.

Hadley never returned to sign the forms.

Victims of domestic abuse are put on a priority list for housing as long as a request is made, said Catherine Papagianis, tenant coordinator for the Ajax Municipal Housing Corp.

Papagianis said the average waiting time is up to two years.

Three out of every five applications are designated priority, she testified.

The inquest continues today.

Copyright © 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.