Catherine Park is living out of suitcases.

"I've been moving between friend's houses, the Plaza Hotel down on 12th and Cambie and back here," she says.

One of the temporary residences Catherine has been living in is a hotel on the UBC campus. Right across the street is the new rental building she's supposed to be living in - Westpoint.

"It was advertised for September first," says Catherine. "Then there was a two week delay."

September 15th became the date for the big move. But that hasn't happened.

Catherine's mom flew here from New York for the next move-in date, which also ended up being bumped. But the time she found out it was too late to change plans.

She has been here twice expecting her daughter to move in.

Construction problems extend delays

The developer says the labour shortage in the construction industry caused them to fall behind schedule.

"We brought in an additional crew of about 40 men to complete the exterior -- we looked everywhere for them," says Kim Maust of the Bastion Development Corp.

The company did offer to put tenants up in a specific hotel. But Catherine didn't end up staying there long.

"It was so far from campus," she says.

It was also without a kitchen, meaning Catherine had to eat out for every meal. Now she's wondering whether her expenses will be covered. That's also what Amanda Wong wants to know.

"Right now I'm living with a friend who's also supposed to be living at Westpoint," says Wong. "His dad ended up renting a place off campus because he's in the same situation I'm in."

Bastion says it is covering some costs -- like storage fees. Others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Tenant rights

But tenant's advocates say there are steps renters can take to get compensation.

"Make a list and ask the company for compensation," says Tom Durning of the Tenant Resource and Advocacy Centre.

"Failing that, they may have to avail themselves of the residential tenancy branch," he says. "It is a dispute resolution mechanism and they can get issued a payment order."

The next chance to move in could come next weekend, after a scheduled inspection on Thursday.

But even the developer can't guarantee it.

"You can never guarantee what the approving authority will do," says Maust.

For now -- Catherine's suitcases are staying packed.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber