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UT makes free housing available for students, employees displaced by apartment complex fire |
| By
Jim Winkler |
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Jul 8, 2008
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The University of Toledo is offering free housing available to students and employees who were displaced by a South Toledo apartment complex fire that caused $5 million in damage and left about 200 homeless early Saturday.
Jo Campbell, UT director of residence life, said Monday displaced students or employees who have no place to live can stay at International House on Main Campus for the month of July.
Campbell attended a meeting Monday of officials from several social service agencies, the city of Toledo and the Greater Toledo Area American Red Cross.
Students and employees interested in obtaining housing on Main Campus should call the Office of Residence Life at 419.530.2941.
No one was injured in the blaze at the Hunters Ridge complex on Gibraltar Heights near Byrne Road and Airport Highway.
The number of University students and employees displaced by the fire damage is not precisely known, but Tim Yenrick, chapter executive director, estimates the figure at between 10 and 15 based on interviews he and others conducted Saturday night and Sunday at a shelter the Red Cross provided for displaced residents in the former Bowsher High School on Detroit Avenue. The UT students and employees appeared to have made temporary living arrangements with friends and family members, he added.
The Red Cross provided shelter and debit cards to the fire victims so they could purchase food, clothing and prescription drugs.
The Hunters Ridge complex is a stop on the bus shuttle service between Main and Health Science campuses.
Campbell said the University is concerned about those who were displaced and will help in any way it can.
“We can take UT students and employees immediately,” she said. “We want to do everything possible to make sure our students and employees have a place to stay.”
In addition, a meeting is scheduled Tuesday at 11 a.m. to coordinate University fundraising efforts on behalf of students and employees affected by the fire. For additional information, contact Michele Martinez, interim special projects manager, at michele.martinez@utoledo.edu.
People requiring immediate assistance due to the fire can call 419.329.6060 to receive services 24 hours a day.
The Red Cross is accepting donations to help fire victims. People may visit www.redcrosstoledo.org to make a secure donation online or mail their gift to Greater Toledo Area Chapter, P.O. Box 595, Toledo, Ohio, 43697 and make Hunters Ridge apartments on the check
Residents needing assistance to replace birth certificates, identification cards and legal documents can contact St. Vincent De Paul, 1001 Washington St., 419.537.6656.
In addition, the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1825 Glendale Ave., is sponsoring a garage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Donations are being accepted through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, July 12, from 8 a.m. to noon.
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