Chatham-Kent council will discuss a motion on the loss of multi-bedroom rental housing at its August 10 meeting, following a notice of motion brought forward by West Kent Councillor Melissa Harrigan on July 27.
The motion notes that renovations to existing rental properties across the province can result in the loss of attainable rental housing for families, particularly multi-bedroom units, and references council’s earlier decision to pass a Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw, which directed administration to pursue advocacy with the province for a province-wide approach to reducing renovictions.
The motion states that while not all renovations resulting in displacement would qualify as an inappropriate “reno-viction,” they may still result in the loss of attainable housing options for Chatham-Kent residents. It also notes that council’s control over decisions related to the conversion or renovation of rental units is limited by powers held by the province through the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The motion directs administration to pursue advocacy with the province seeking a province-wide strategy to avoid the loss of multi-bedroom rental properties and help ensure the ongoing availability of this form of attainable housing.
