ACORN Canada releases a new report on the Status of Renters during COVID-19: Calls for Urgent Measures from Governments

Posted April 29, 2020

Posted on April 29, 2020

ACORN Canada reached out to 1082 people across Canada to understand the issues people are facing during the pandemic, especially those relating to their ability to pay rent as it falls due again on May 1st and the problems they are encountering in their buildings/apartments as lack of maintenance and repair poses a major public health risk especially during a pandemic.

The survey is an eye opener to the state of renters in the country and clearly demonstrates that much more needs to be done to support tenants in this time of health and economic crisis.

Key highlights of the survey include:

70% of respondents have been impacted financially, yet only 42% of people qualify for government benefits such as the CERB or EI.
Almost 35% don’t have enough money to pay the rent on May 1st.
15% of respondents have been threatened with eviction if rent is not paid.

To read the full report in English, click here.

Pour le français, cliquez ici

The report calls for urgent measures by the governments for tenants. We urgently need the Federal and Provincial Governments to take the following actions:

Rent Break – Federal Government and/or Provinces should offer adequate rent subsidies to renters ASAP. No tenant should be paying more than 30% of their income in rent.
Rent Freeze – Federal Government and /or Provinces should mandate rent freezes across the board. There should be no rent increases (automatic or otherwise) during the Coronavirus Crisis.
Rent Control – Federal Government and/or Provinces should mandate full Rent Control including Vacancy Control! Immediately and to continue after COVID-19
Ban Eviction Notices and Create Eviction Prevention: Not only do we need a moratorium on evictions but also on notices of termination of tenancy due to non-payment of rent during the pandemic. We also need preventive action to protect tenants from getting evicted as soon as the pandemic is over.

Join our action NOW to demand RENT BREAK. Click here