Dartmouth Renovictions - Member Statement

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the fate of eight Dartmouth South households on my heart and mind. Within 24 hours of lifting the ban on so-called renovictions, these people were given notice to leave their homes in Dartmouth South for just this reason.

Some of them have lived in their units for over 35 years. Some are seniors, some are parents, and at least one is patiently waiting for a long-term care bed. There are ways to stay this eviction for a few months, but in the end, they will be forced to leave.

With the affordable housing stock at an all-time low, I don't know what will happen to them nor can I offer them more than direction towards meager rent subsidies, a five-year long waiting list for public housing, or a move far outside the city and away from their community, schools, and resources.

I ask my colleagues to join me in starting this session with this stark reminder that housing is a human right, and that right is ours to safeguard.