Press Hits

Above guideline rent increases are the most “regressive” way to fund green retrofits in rental housing, a new report from Ontario ACORN argues. The report from the tenant union spells out how some landlords have used above-guideline rent increases (AGIs) to pass the cost of climate-conscious upgrades on to tenants and make a profit. “ACORN members agree these retrofits are needed and at a much greater scale. However, it shouldn’t be low-income tenants paying the bill so we can achieve our climate goals,” the report says.
The report looks at 16 applications to raise rents above the provincial maximum for rent-controlled units to cover the cost of energy and water conservation projects — including things like new boilers, windows and doors, lighting retrofits and common area renovations.

The red, yellow and green signs, similar to the easily recognizable ones posted in restaurants to show public health violations, were first debated a few years ago, as part of the city’s RentSafe program. Tenant groups backs the move, along with ACORN, the Federation of Metro Tenants Associations (FMTA) and NoDemovictions. Alejandra Ruiz Vargas, chair of the East York Chapter and National President of Acorn Canada, said they have heard from tenants about long-ignored issues such as cockroaches, leaky ceilings and broken sinks. “We want the landlords to be held accountable,” she said. “This is something that is going to give us dignity, because we finally feel that someone is listening to us.”

Brampton is reviewing a proposed bylaw to protect the city’s supply of rental housing. City staff presented a draft bylaw at Monday evening’s planning and development committee meeting and will present a final recommendation report at a future meeting, likely by the end of the year. But the Peel chapter of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) says the proposed bylaw doesn’t go far enough to protect tenants. Peel ACORN leader Tanya Burkart said the city’s proposed bylaw could create loopholes for developers. “We’re grateful that the city has recognized that tenants need protection when the buildings are demolished,” she said in an interview Tuesday. “But we need an effective bylaw that takes meaningful steps towards protecting tenants, not just the right to return, but protects them against the financial impact of losing their affordable housing.” The organization held a rally Monday evening, just before the start of the planning and development committee meeting.

Brampton is considering bringing in rules to preserve rental housing, but a tenant advocacy group is urging the city to do more. The city believes the new measures are necessary because of the minimal increase in new rental projects and to maintain the current stock of apartments. At a planning committee scheduled for tonight, councillors will look at implementing a bylaw that would force developers to maintain low-cost rental housing instead of demolishing and replacing the affordable units with luxury condominiums. However, ACORN, a group that fights on behalf of tenants, says that recommendations don’t go far enough and that more protection is needed for those currently living in rental housing, many of whom will either be displaced if existing buildings are replaced or will not be able to afford to live in new buildings.

Forty-one days after their gas was shut off, tenants of a central Hamilton apartment building are still taking cold showers and cooking on hot plates — or not at all. This isn’t the building’s only issue — tenants have also been without air conditioning since early May. Tenants were told Valour was waiting on a part that would take six to eight weeks to arrive — “pretty much the whole summer,” said Alysia Adamczyk.Last week, residents formed a tenants’ union with help from advocacy group Hamilton ACORN. They’ve requested a meeting with Valour to present their demands, which include compensation for food, extra hydro, appliances purchased and emotional toll.

As another scorching summer settles over the nation’s capital, a tenant advocacy group is renewing its urge the city implements a maximum heat bylaw to protect tenants from unsafe indoor temperatures. A new report from ACORN found that in Ottawa, close to half of low-to-moderate income tenants lack air conditioning, largely due to affordability. Fifty-four per cent reported extreme heat as their top housing issue. ACORN is calling for a bylaw that caps indoor temperatures at 26 C, similar to minimum heat requirements in winter. The City of Ottawa currently mandates landlords maintain heating at 20 C during the day in colder months but has no regulation setting a maximum temperature during the summer.