After less than six months, families living in a condo development south of Winnipeg are being forced to move.

Twenty-three of the 24 units in the west building at 873 Waverley St. belong to the Aurora Recovery Center (ARC), a facility that helps people with addiction issues navigate their way to sobriety. The complex, known as Aurora Reunification Village, was created to reconnect mothers with their children during their recovery.

But now this village is being demolished.

CTV News spoke to a tenant who asked not to be identified because she is undergoing treatment.

“It’s sad because it’s probably the safest place some of us have ever been, and we’re not welcome there,” she said. “He feels like a victim again, and now he feels homeless again.

“It’s a feeling of uprooting. No security, no stability.

The tenant is one of 20 tenants – including six children – who will have to vacate the premises, after a Manitoba judge issued an order to desist earlier this month.

According to court documents, the condo association argued that Aurora was using the development for commercial purposes. He said the company violated section 2.3.1 of the declaration of co-ownership, which states that “Each unit shall be occupied and used solely as a private single-family residence and for no other purpose…”

The presiding judge agreed, writing in her approval: “In this case, I agree with the petitioner’s contention that operating a business, such as Reunification Village, as a branch of the CRA, is inconsistent and in violation of the Declaration of this co-ownership.

“I guess it’s a business,” said Jessica Dos Santos, Reunification Village’s director and facilities advisor. “I just think it’s no different than someone coming onsite and providing in-home care.”

As part of its operations, Aurora offered consulting and support services, as well as financial assistance.

“Not everyone has the right to use drugs or drink,” said Michael Bruneau, president and CEO of Aurora. “They are very happy. They are there with their children.

But Aurora staff and tenants say they have experienced backlash.

“Many tenants have encountered people following them, taking photos of them, even through simple nonverbal communication,” Dos Santos said.

The attorney representing the condominium board declined an interview and said neither he nor his client would comment on the matter.

In the meantime, Bruneau said he hopes to move to a new location and continue operations soon.

“We know we’re not wanted here, so we’re going to move,” he said.

Bruneau could not confirm when or where the facility would move, however, he said some tenants have already moved to Aurora’s other reunification property in Brandon, Manitoba.

He also said he plans to use vacant condos at Castle Gate Estates on Waverley Street to help Winnipeg’s vulnerable population by providing them with temporary housing during the cold winter months.

“If I can do some good and save some people from freezing to death outside, I’m going to take them there and warm them up and feed them,” Bruneau said. “Then I’m going to do this.” Mark my words.