Family of Tumbler Ridge shooting victim finds home near hospital
Vancouver realtors provide year of rental support to family of Tumbler Ridge shooting victim near BC Children’s Hospital.
Greater Vancouver Realtors launched a housing relief initiative earlier this year that is providing a year of rental support to the family of a 12-year-old girl who sustained gunshot wounds in the Tumbler Ridge shooting, allowing them to move into a home near BC Children’s Hospital as she continues her recovery.
Shifting to Vancouver for treatment
Maya Gebala was among 27 people injured in the Feb. 10 shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., which killed nine people. Her family relocated to Vancouver so she could undergo multiple surgeries at the hospital.
According to a National Post report from June 1, which included an interview with Gebala’s mother, Cia Edmonds, the family did not qualify for government benefits and was relying on donations to get by. As they searched for a long-term rental near the hospital, the family struggled to find housing they could afford that also met Gebala’s accessibility needs.
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Members of the association’s network learned of the family’s circumstances and connected them with the Community Relief Fund, which provides emergency housing assistance to people facing unexpected hardship. Earlier this month, the family moved into a single-level home in a quiet neighbourhood close to the hospital, making it easier for Gebala to get around as she recovers from her injuries.
GVR’s Community Relief Fund, in partnership with Vancouver law firm Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP, is covering the family’s rent for the next 12 months. Community Relief Fund is covering the first six months of rent, while Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP is funding the remaining six months.
Long-term support for medical recovery
The organizations said they will explore providing additional housing support if Gebala requires medical care in Vancouver beyond the next year.
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“When a family is dealing with circumstances as difficult as those facing Maya and her family, we want to do what we can to ease that burden,” said Jeff King, CEO of GVR. “We’re proud to partner with Rice Parsons Leoni and Elliott LLP on this effort and to make the first funding commitment through the fund.”
Established earlier this year, GVR’s Community Relief Fund provides more than $200,000 annually to help individuals and families across Canada experiencing housing hardship because of a medical emergency, tragedy or natural disaster. The fund is supported through small monthly contributions from GVR members. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of GVR staff and member volunteers.
This arrangement mirrors the logistical challenges often seen when families move for specialized care. Unlike the immediate crisis response seen in some disaster zones, medical relocation often drags on for years, creating a gap where insurance benefits expire but care needs persist. In this case, the private sector stepped in to bridge that specific gap where public assistance fell short.
