ACORN Hamilton celebrates major victory in anti-renoviction campaign

On January 17th 2024 Hamilton Council voted unanimously in favour of the city passing a strong anti-renoviction bylaw.

After a 5 year effort and several motions passed to direct the creation of a made in Hamilton bylaw (based on the success of policy from New Westminister. BC), we were ecstatic to support the Renovations License and Relocation Bylaw.

The bylaw will require landlords to apply for a licence within 7 days of issuing a tenant a N13. The license asks for information on the landlord and rental unit, requires tenants be provided with a Tenant’s Rights and Entitlements Package and most significantly that tenants that request first right of refusal (their unit back post reno at the same rent!), the landlord must provide temporary accommodation for the duration of the renovations OR a rental top up for the duration of the renovations.

This win was only possible because of every single member that supported this campaign! All the delegations, interviews, City Hall meetings, town halls, press conferences and rallies and relentless pressure to demand our Hamilton do something to address the crisis.

Thank you to our Councillor allies – Ward 3 Councillor Nann for championing this since 2019, Ward 9 Councillor Clark for passing the first motion in 2020, and Ward 2 Councillor Kroetsch and Ward 13 Councillor A.Wilson adding strong support this term.

And thank you to the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, Hamilton Community Benefits Network, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario and Claire Michela from RavenLaw LLP for supporting the work and adding your expertise.

Lots more to come and the fight is far from over but huge movement today and we are so proud our city is taking the lead in tenant protections.