Hamilton Spectator: Activists to call for ‘bold action’ on city’s housing crisis

Housing activists are set to host a rally Friday afternoon calling on the City of Hamilton to take “bold action” against the city’s housing crisis.

 

ACORN Hamilton released their “municipal housing platform” Thursday in response to threats against the city’s affordable housing from “predatory developers.”

 

With the platform, the organization is calling on the city to protect vulnerable tenants from “renoviction” and substandard apartments.

 

In a release, ACORN Hamilton organizer Mike Wood said renters across Hamilton have had enough of living with mould, pest issues and having landlords “failing to do repairs.”

 

“Every other business in Hamilton is licensed for health and safety,” said Wood. “Where we eat, live and sleep should be inspected for the health and safety of all renters in Hamilton.”

 

The organization said tenants are also facing alleged “low ball buyouts” and N13 eviction notices so that landlords can raise the rent.

 

The rally is set to start at 1 p.m. outside City Hall.

 

More to come.

 

 

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Article by Fallon Hewitt for the Hamilton Spectator