Press Hits

Tenants facing displacement from two James Street South buildings have more breathing room after a city committee delayed a decision relating to their landlord’s redevelopment plans. “The underlying issue is we want a solution that doesn’t displace families and people living in these buildings,” tenant Pamela Cooper said after the committee of adjustment’s tabling motion Thursday.

Vicky Stimach is one of several tenants alleging landlord Pinedale Properties has attempted to illegally charge tenants for improvements or repairs. A property manager said the company undertakes repairs in a timely manner.

Advocates representing low-income tenants say the City of London’s new bylaw aimed to crack down on unlawful renovictions — evictions under the guise of renovations — is a step in the right direction, but lacks specific protections for tenants compared to other Ontario municipalities.

On Tuesday, members of London ACORN held a rally for stronger rent control and other protections in Ontario ahead of this week’s provincial election. But not everyone who was invited decided to attend.

Tenant rights advocates rallied in downtown London, Tuesday, calling on provincial political parties to tighten rent controls and put housing affordability at the forefront, with the provincial election days away. The rally, organized by tenant advocacy group ACORN, invited candidates from all political parties to discuss their plans to tackle the high cost of rental housing.

An anti-poverty and tenants group is pushing for rent control to become a ballot issue in Thursday’s provincial election, seemingly throwing its support behind the New Democrats just as a new survey shows housing affordability remains top of mind for many voters.