'There’s no great answer': Low-income tenants weigh options in Cambridge as renovations push them out
'There’s no great answer': Low-income tenants weigh options in Cambridge as renovations push them out
Tenants of the Tiger Lofts, an affordable apartment building in Cambridge, say they’re being “renovicted” and won’t be allowed to stay after extensive renovations.
The building has 54 affordable units that rent below market average, including six bachelor and 48 one-bedroom apartments.
A tenant for nearly eight years, Ryan Anningson said on Tuesday, the landlord went door-to-door, speaking with tenants about the change.
Anningson said tenants were told they must move out by Oct. 31, 2023. Each tenant was offered $10,000 in compensation.
“We got word that the building is being renovated. The tenants are being offered cash to leave,” Anningson said. “The end is either you may be able to stay, or you may end up evicted.”
The building has 54 affordable units that rent below the market average. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener)
“Our rent currently is in the range of about $800, which is well below market. When we look around this area in particular, we’re seeing rents of $1,600 up to $2,200,” Anningson said.
A spokesperson with the property manager, Dubrick Property Management, said they are not able to comment on the situation at this time.
The developer has not made their plans clear to the public.
WHAT ARE THE TENANTS' RIGHTS?
According to Jane Dean, a partner with DC Paralegals in Cambridge, the owner can not raise rent higher than five per cent next year, and tenants don’t have to agree to take the money and leave.
But if the renovations change the building to commercial property, then the tenants won’t have the same rooms to go back to, and the owner can evict them.
“If I converted a residential to a commercial, then that building is no longer there. That’s an N13. They can no longer rent because it’s now been zoned differently. It’s not going to be used for residential purposes any longer,” Dean said.
Dean suggests tenants seek legal advice before making any decisions.
“There’s no great answer. Neither a good answer or a bad answer for either side,” Dean said.
According to the Region of Waterloo, the property is currently operated under affordable housing agreements with the province and region until 2028.
The region said it is working with the owner to prioritize maintaining affordable housing and connecting with tenants that are part of the affordable housing program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sellers 'expecting yesterday's prices': Canadians cope with a correcting housing market
After a series of interest rate hikes implemented by the Bank of Canada, housing markets are now facing a 'significant' correction. CTVNews.ca spoke to Canadians who are now struggling to make the goal of purchasing a home, or selling one, a reality.
Power returning in Toronto after hours-long outage likely caused by crane hitting transmission line
Power is slowing coming back to Toronto's downtown core after a widespread outage caused major disruptions in the city Thursday afternoon.
A new virus was found in China, here's what we know
Scientists are keeping an eye on the Langya virus, a new pathogen that appears to have been transmitted from animals to humans in China and causes symptoms similar to COVID-19 or the flu.
U.S. Justice Dept. seeks to unseal search warrant of Trump home
The U.S. Justice Department is asking a federal court to unseal the warrant the FBI used to search the Mar-a-Lago estate of former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday, acknowledging extraordinary public interest in the case about classified records.
Armed man tries to breach FBI office, killed after standoff
An armed man who tried to breach the FBI's Cincinnati office was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene, leading to an hourlong standoff Thursday afternoon, the Ohio Highway State Patrol said.
Police investigating attack on Brampton, Ont. media personality as attempted murder
A Brampton, Ont. media personality who was attacked with a machete and axe in his driveway will need months of physical rehabilitation to recover, a close friend says.
Will you be eligible for one of Ontario's new tax credits? Here's the breakdown
The Ontario government is planning to move forward with several tax credits for residents as it formally tabled its 2022-23 budget on Tuesday.
'Devastating': Search continues for Sask. mushroom picker missing for 7 days
It’s been seven days since 74-year-old Lois Chartrand went missing while mushroom picking in the forest north of Smeaton, Sask.
Vegetarian women more likely to suffer hip fractures: study
A study out of the United Kingdom’s University of Leeds reports women who don’t eat meat are 33 per cent more likely to break their hips later in life.
London
-
Unoccupied boat found in Ohio, police continue search for missing Port Burwell boater
A search for a missing boater continues in Lake Erie after an unoccupied boat was found along the shoreline in Madison, Ohio.
-
Suspect charged in London, Ont. homicide investigation
London police have identified a suspect related to the homicide of a 31-year-old man.
-
COVID Outbreak at declared at Bluewater Health’s withdrawal management site
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Bluewater Health’s second-stage withdrawal management facility.
Windsor
-
Late arriving seventh wave of COVID detected in Windsor-Essex wastewater
Another wave of COVID-19 has been detected in local wastewater more than a month after the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table declared the seventh wave of the pandemic in the province.
-
Why Tunnel Bus service is remaining idle as other bus companies run cross-border routes
Despite other bus companies moving ahead with cross-border routes between the U.S. and Canada, Transit Windsor says it is still not feasible to resume its Tunnel Bus service.
-
'I needed to keep the music in Amherstburg': 21-year-old musician turns into entrepreneur
Bethany D’Alimonte didn’t want the music to end.
Barrie
-
Second man sentenced in 2019 death of Barrie man
Two men charged with killing a man in downtown Barrie in 2019 have now been sentenced.
-
Barrie Woman marks 80th anniversary of Dieppe Raid with a trip to honour father's experience
A Barrie woman who chronicled her father's experiences during a Second World War battle led mostly by Canadian soldiers is preparing to go back to where it all happened to mark the anniversary.
-
Man's body recovered from water in Huntsville: OPP
OPP is investigating after the body of a 33-year-old man was found in the water off Crescent Bay Lane in Huntsville.
Northern Ontario
-
Kristin Murray makes history as first person of colour to be mayor of Timmins
Timmins has a new mayor -- and she's the first person of colour to hold the seat. Kristin Murray has been appointed to take over the mayor's office until the upcoming election.
-
Group that supports LGBTQ2S+ community in North Bay vandalized
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts in North Bay were victims of vandalism this week because of their support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
-
Will you be eligible for one of Ontario's new tax credits? Here's the breakdown
The Ontario government is planning to move forward with several tax credits for residents as it formally tabled its 2022-23 budget on Tuesday.
Ottawa
-
What you need to know about the Queensway closure this weekend
Hwy. 417 will be closed between the Metcalfe and Carling/Kirkwood exits from 8 p.m. Thursday until Monday at 6 a.m.
-
Elevator outage strands residents in Clarence Street apartment for nearly a week
Two elevators at an Ottawa apartment building that houses subsidized units have been out for nearly a week.
-
Here's when gas prices will increase eight cents a litre in Ottawa
Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague says gas prices will increase eight cents a litre in Ottawa on Friday, bringing gas prices to $1.749 a litre.
Toronto
-
Power returning in Toronto after hours-long outage likely caused by crane hitting transmission line
Power is slowing coming back to Toronto's downtown core after a widespread outage caused major disruptions in the city Thursday afternoon.
-
Shooting at funeral for Toronto homicide victim leaves two critically injured
Two people have been critically injured in a shooting at a Richmond Hill cemetery where they were attending a funeral on Thursday for a man who was shot and killed in Toronto earlier this week.
-
Will you be eligible for one of Ontario's new tax credits? Here's the breakdown
The Ontario government is planning to move forward with several tax credits for residents as it formally tabled its 2022-23 budget on Tuesday.
Montreal
-
'Unparalleled kindness': Montreal North community mourns shooting victim Jayson Colin
The Montreal North community is grieving after 26-year-old Jayson Colin -- a man described as "generous, affable and involved" -- was killed in a shooting Wednesday night.
-
Family says Quebec health-care system 'failed' them after man denied life-saving liver transplant
The family of a man on Montreals' West Island who is suffering liver failure says he is being denied the chance of a life-saving liver transplant.
-
U.S. teen leaves hospital 3 months after drive-by shooting in Laval, Que.
An American teenager who was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting in Laval, Que. during a family vacation three months ago was finally released from hospital, but still isn't able to walk on his own.
Atlantic
-
Two-tiered medical system is inevitable in Canada: N.S. doctor
Hazelton says breakthroughs in care are making an impact, like advancements in virtual and tele-health care and says the province should create more community nurse and nurse practitioner-led clinics to help to ease the backlog in hospitals.
-
Former CEO of IWK Health Centre released on bail pending appeal of fraud conviction
A former Halifax hospital CEO convicted of fraud has been granted bail one day after being sentenced to five months in jail.
-
Newfoundland wildfires could be sign of what climate change has in store for province
A climatologist says the wildfires that have been burning for more than two weeks in central Newfoundland could be a sign of what's to come as the province feels the impacts of climate change.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg man drowns at Whiteshell Provincial Park: RCMP
Lac du Bonnet RCMP are investigating after a Winnipeg man drowned in Whiteshell Provincial Park Tuesday.
-
Millennium Library becoming more energy efficient: City
The Millennium Library will be undergoing renovations over the next few months, closing each of its four floors on a staggered basis to install new carpet and lighting, as well as a new service desk on the fourth floor.
-
Government gives $6.3 million to help fight homelessness in Manitoba
The Manitoba government is putting more money towards helping our most vulnerable citizens, announcing several initiatives to help end homelessness across the province Thursday.
Calgary
-
Nearly $3M in drugs seized, 5 people charged in Calgary ALERT investigations
Five people are facing charges after a pair of Calgary drug busts in which police seized nearly $3 million in methamphetamine and fentanyl.
-
Calgary petting zoo owner says he's been threatened over Pride event
The owner of a petting zoo in east Calgary says the tone has changed over one its most popular public adult-only events.
-
Tribute to Rolling Stones founder recording tonight at King Eddy
Ben Waters came to play with the Rolling Stones almost accidentally, through his obsession with the boogie-woogie style of piano played by one of the band's founding members, Ian Stewart.
Edmonton
-
'We will dig deeper': Questions abound over delay plagued Valley Line LRT and the P3 model
Yet another delay to the opening of the Valley Line Southeast LRT has some questioning the value that public-private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects have, with the city pledging a comprehensive review into the practice.
-
Remembering Ben Stelter: The story behind the young superfan's friendship with Connor McDavid and the Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers shared memories of superfan Ben Stelter on Thursday. Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman and head coach Jay Woodcroft held a virtual press conference to speak about the six-year-old.
-
NDP calls for resignation of government members who awarded controversial essay
The Alberta NDP has demanded resignation letters from leaders of the province's status of women department, who awarded an essay that claimed 'women are not exactly equal to men' and suggested 'foreigners' are used to 'replace' Albertans.
Vancouver
-
Olalla residents return to find wildfire burned within metres of some homes
Evacuated residents from the town of Olalla, B.C., got the good news they’ve been hoping for Thursday when word came that they could return home.
-
Woman found with gunshot wounds in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
A woman was badly injured in what Vancouver police say is the third shooting in five days in the city.
-
'Only outstanding individual evading police' sought in international drug trafficking case
Mounties in British Columbia and Manitoba are still trying to track down a suspect connected to an international drug and firearms trafficking investigation dubbed Project Divergent.