APPENDIX B: RENTERS AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES’ SESSION NOTES

POLICY CRITERIA

The Tenant Assistance Policy would come into effect when:

Rezoning application is submitted to the District, and
If approved, the rezoning would result in a loss of rental units, requiring tenants to move out.
May also be used as Best Practice with other application types, such as Development Permits.

Most Important

Mount Tolmie-range of renters / residents (from students to seniors)
all units & renters should be included
relocation / rental support person
limits to capacity and skill
clarity on obligation of landlord to provide financial support / moving expenses
Payment plan for rentals should be more flexible

Why

need a range of supports
some interested in first right of refusal for renovations
financial compensation (especially for younger renters)
some feel forced out units and need more housing security
as renters, units are our homes - long time tenants are feeling forced out because surrounding units are being renovated
right to leave and come back to units (after renovations)
I have a disability and it was just such a challenge to find accessible housing so I think this is great that renters are being included in this conversation. Currently I don’t feel protected because every time I have complained about a barrier for example, the storage room does not have a push button that will allow the door to automatically open, I feel like the property management doesn’t feel the need to remove barriers, they are not really aware of accessibility standards or policies and I feel like every time I speak about an issue, they don’t care because of the renting market, they are happy to kick me out and find someone who will pay more I also really like that you are considering all range of supports because for example, to me, what I might value most is moving support as I don’t have family that could help me move and/or supports finding an accessible unit if I ever have to leave