Tenants of Dundas apartment fear renoviction following sale of property

A group of people who live in a Dundas apartment building say they’re concerned about their future. They held a news conference Friday afternoon to address several issues including the sale of the property. 

Ron Tammer a tenant of the apartment building said they and other tenants of the apartment were very nervous about the future, “we’re not sure what’s going to happen to us.” 

Tenants of a couple of Forge and Foster properties in Hamilton are working together to demand support for protecting over 70 units. Some tenants have lived in this community at 211 York Road for up to three decades and are now worried about renovictions.

“We want to find a way to ensure that our homes, our homes! Remaind affordable,” said Linda Boos a tenant and Acorn Member. 

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39 tenants currently live at the apartment buildings at 211 York Rd. 

Acorn Hamilton says tenants in this complex have been facing several challenges since Forge and Foster took over nearly two years ago. 

“Tenants have struggled with issues ranging from freezing temperatures in their apartments to recurring mold issues,” says Boos, “this is really unacceptable, especially given the fact that some of these tenants have toddlers.”

Residents of the building are also demanding the city to fast-track plans for an acquisition fund to support at-risk buildings.

Alex Wilson, Ward 13 councilor, says “we’re in a crisis today, and I want to say the city acknowledges we’re in a crisis today.”

Councillor Wilson says he has raised this issue with staff.

“We’ve committed to building that process, staffing up on bylaw, building those teams I can’t say that’s fast work and I think we’re hearing that it’s not meeting the need in our communities today, that’s the reality.” 

READ MORE: Hamilton City Council passes anti-renoviction by-law

Donna Hiebert lives on 72 James St., another property owned by Forge and Foster. And she says the tenants at her building are facing similar issues. 

“As time goes on forge and foster history is going to come out, there’s a lot to tell that way,” says Hiebert, “the tenants in our building are just looking to live where they live, pay the rent they pay, and have some sense of what the future brings.” 

CHCH News reached out to Forge and Foster in person, over email and the phone for comment but they have yet to respond.