Brampton Guardian Op-ed: Brampton needs to do more to protect vulnerable tenants

I have lived in a Brampton apartment since the 1980s, so close to 40 years now.

During this time, I have seen three owners change and the current owner is by far the worst. The general upkeep and cleaning have gone downhill. The building lacks basic security and lighting, rendering it unsafe for people.

There was also always someone available you could go to for any issues in the unit or building. They had superintendents on duty, but now, there is one person who is supposed to do some things, but not act as a superintendent. If I need to get anything done, I have to phone them, but they are only accessible until 5 p.m.

I have a crack in my wall. which wasn’t that big. I called property management, but they said they won’t fix it. They want to demolish the building, so why care?

I have a crack in my wall. which wasn’t that big. I called property management, but they said they won’t fix it. They want to demolish the building, so why care?

I am an 80-year-old senior on a very minimal income. I’m not on Canada Pension Plan; I couldn’t work due to my disability. I pay monthly rent of $862.52. If I am evicted, I cannot afford any other place.

I need the building owner to understand what affordable homes mean to people like me. I also want the City of Brampton to know what’s happening so they can stop investors such as this building owner from acquiring affordable homes and protect vulnerable tenants.

The city must develop a proactive inspection bylaw like Toronto RentSafe or the MARC program in Mississauga, as well as strong anti-renoviction and demoviction bylaws so that tenants don’t lose housing. I hope the City of Brampton is listening.

Ruth Garner is a member of Peel ACORN. ACORN Canada is a community union of low- and moderate-income people with chapters in 10 cities across the country, including in Peel region.

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Authored by Ruth Garner, Peel ACORN member for Brampton Guardian