Residents in Heron Gate, who live in Timbercreek homes set for demolition, will be allowed to stay for now.
Timbercreek says it will halt demolition plans for all occupied units until the tenants can move to new units at the same rent.
The landlord also says up to 20% of its new developments will be considered affordable housing, defined as rental rates at 30% of a tenant’s income.
This is part of what Timbercreek is calling a “social framework” for the Heron Gate community.
The company says it will work alongside the City of Ottawa and Alta Vista ward councillor Jean Cloutier to create training and job opportunities for the Heron Gate area, and to improve Sandalwood Park.
Timbercreek faced significant backlash to its move to tear down old townhomes in Heron Gate and replace them with new units. Hundreds of families, many of whom are immigrants or low-income, were told to move out by the end of September, 2018. Residents and community groups protested the move. The company said the townhomes were dilapidated and could not be restored, and offered a moving allowance to tenants, but residents said they could not afford to move anywhere else.
Demolition of some townhomes was underway in January, with the City confirming to CTV News 17 demolition permits were issued for homes on Sandalwood Dr. and Baycrest Dr. January 17, 2019. Tenants said they were never given a solid date for when the tear-down would begin, only being told demolition would not begin before December 10, 2018.
With files from CTV’s Christina Succi.