[dino_bobba_renno]

My aunt who is 62 and her husband who is 67 have been living here in Calgary in an apartment for over 10 years now. The owners of her building basically wanted mature or senior couples only and in order to keep their tenant base they kept their rents very low; $650 a month for a 2 bedroom 900 square foot apartment. In the last ten years the rent only went up once from $575 to $650 which in Calgary is unheard of. So as a result what’s happened is that the entire building is occupied now by lower income seniors but none of which need assisted living or financial assistance.
Last fall the owners sold the building because they were retiring. The new owner promised that they wouldn’t increase the rents but that they might utilize some of the vacancies for families on government assistance. To their credit they didn’t raise the rents for 4 months but just last week my aunt received an eviction notice stating that the entire building is going to be used for low income families on assistance.

So basically they are kicking out low income seniors don’t receive government assistance to move in families who do. One of the people being kicked out is this sweet 82 year old lady who does laundry for the existing tenants to make ends meet. I’m just floored by this.

I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing that the new owners will get some type of subsidy from the government for supplying low income housing. It’s the only thing I can think of, why the hell else would someone do something like this?

[Brenda]

Is that even legal?

[andyt]

I've never heard of such a thing. Most landlords have to be pushed to rent to welfare people, since they get so little to pay for rent. I don't see how they can make money unless there's some new program where as you say the govt subsidizes. Usually that would only be done by a non-profit group, not private investors. I'm wondering if this is just an excuse to get people out and go to market rates?

[martin14]

I agree with the market rate idea.

Even a gov't subsidy wouldnt be competitive.



I would get the neighbors together, and see about a lawyer

[dino_bobba_renno]

Brenda wrote:

Is that even legal?

They're giving them 3 months so I guess it's legal. I'm not over familar with rental rights to be honest with you.

andyt wrote:

I've never heard of such a thing. Most landlords have to be pushed to rent to welfare people, since they get so little to pay for rent. I don't see how they can make money unless there's some new program where as you say the govt subsidizes. Usually that would only be done by a non-profit group, not private investors. I'm wondering if this is just an excuse to get people out and go to market rates?

Could be, it might be some deal where the govenment compensates them for below market rates if the people living there are on assistance too.

[dino_bobba_renno]

I've already written to my alderperson, MLA and MP. I'll be writing to the Sun and Herald next. Talk about screwed up.

[Freakinoldguy]

dino_bobba_renno wrote:

So basically they are kicking out low income seniors don’t receive government assistance to move in families who do. One of the people being kicked out is this sweet 82 year old lady who does laundry for the existing tenants to make ends meet. I’m just floored by this.

I don't know much about tenancy agreements or the law in that area, but, everytime I turn on a TV, some dipshit landlord in Vancouver is trying this and the media seems to be all over it.

So it's worth a shot. Also see if the lady in question has been to any Government agencies or any other charities to help alleviate her situation. Alot of times people don't know what they're entitled to or are to proud to ask.

Good luck and don't let the bastards get you down.

[Thanos]

More like the new owners are completely lying. They won't move low-income families in, they'll kick everyone out, shut the doors for six months, and renovate the place into a condo with units starting at the low, LOW price of $300K each. There was such evil bullshit going on against seniors and other low-income people during the last boom in Calgary and it's guaranteed that it'll happen all over again with the next round of out-of-control growth starting up all over again.

[herbie]

Oh come one, it's the Expo86/Olympic scam. Kick them out. Paint the trim in the hall. Triple the rent. Why is anyone surprised?
Or they can turn every closet into a new "low income" apartment that rents for $250 a month more than basic welfare and make the newspaper and tv.

[Alta_redneck]

Thanos wrote:

renovate the place into a condo with units starting at the low, LOW price of $300K each. There was such evil bullshit going on against seniors and other low-income people during the last boom in Calgary and it's guaranteed that it'll happen all over again with the next round of out-of-control growth starting up all over again.

That was my first thought also, and if that's the case then 1 years notice is required.