Accora Village ACORN Tenant Union Takes a Stand Against Unfair Rent Gouging in the Face of 5.5% AGI!
Posted October 23, 2023
Last Saturday, October 21st, members of the Accora Village ACORN Tenant Union organized their community and hosted a powerful Tenant Speak Out about the UNFAIR 5.5% ‘Above the Guideline Increase’ (AGI) in rent they received from property owners, Ferguslea Properties Limited!
20 tenants marched to the Accora Village Rental Office to hand-deliver a letter of demands to management, making their voices HEARD! A HUGE shoutout to our fierce ACORN leaders, Andre Grandpierre, Tuong Nguyen, and Norma Jean Quibell for leading a formidable speak out. Special thanks also to City Councillor Theresa Kavanagh and MPP Chandra Pasma for joining in solidarity, amplifying our message for Ferguslea to DROP THE AGI!
The action also highlighted the dire need for a Tenant Defense Fund in Ottawa – similar to programs in Toronto and Hamilton – as there are currently no free legal supports/representation for tenants of affordable housing to dispute an AGI. Councillors on Community Services Committee are discussing a staff memo on Tenant Defense Funds on Oct 24th.
The speakout was organized by ACORN members at a 40+ person tenant meeting just last week so BIG thank you to everyone who participated – this is just the first of many actions to come!
Stay tuned for press links from Radio Canada!
