London ACORN’s Fight for a Strong Anti-Renoviction Bylaw!
Posted September 25, 2024
Big Update on London ACORN’s Fight for a Strong Anti-Renoviction Bylaw!
Over two dozen ACORN members braved the pouring rain to hold an AMAZING action today in the fight for a strong anti-renoviction bylaw in London! Members called out the City for not including in the draft bylaw any protections for tenants after they’re displaced by renovictions. We also called out the city for charging tiny fees to landlords who don’t comply with the bylaw, and for not properly engaging with tenant groups like ACORN to develop the bylaw with tenants in mind.
ACORN members are demanding the City of London pass a renoviction bylaw that includes requirements for landlords to give tenants temporary alternate accommodations or a rental top up while renovations are being completed, with steep fines for landlords who don’t comply with the bylaw.
Following the action, ACORN members made our way into City Council Chambers to attend the council meeting that afternoon where councillors would be discussing the bylaw draft. Strong efforts were made by councillors Corrinne Rahman, Sam Trosow, and Hadleigh McAlister to strengthen the current draft bylaw by adding in requirements for landlords to provide accommodations or rental top ups to renovicted tenants, but ultimately these proposed changes were voted down. Fortunately, a motion was passed to increase the fines for landlords who don’t comply with the bylaw AND for council to revisit the bylaw in one year to see where it may need to be improved – that means this fight isn’t over yet!
Huge shoutout to all our members’ hard work on this campaign – this bylaw wouldn’t have even hit the council meeting agenda without your organizing!
We’d like to thank councillors Trosow, Rahman, and McAlister for working with us to make a stronger bylaw. Together, we will continue to turn the heat up on councillors who refuse to hear the voices of the people!