Brentwood Park is a close-knit, multicultural, multi-generational community that includes both homeowners and many renters.  Rental homes in our neighbourhood provide families with children access to affordable rental housing with a backyard that is close to one of Burnaby’s best elementary schools.  The rental families of this neighbourhood make up an important part of our community, from hosting some of the most epic Halloween displays to being part of our neighbourhood watch, our school community and our circle of friends.  We do not want to see more families who have called Brentwood Park their home for years forced out of homes so that absentee landlords, land speculators and developers can benefit. 

 

We have already seen renters being evicted from their homes and the houses left standing empty.   Many rental homes are owned by foreign investors, who may be motivated to cash in on their “jackpot” with Bill 47 looming over our community.  We are expecting more evictions for profit to follow.

 

The City of Burnaby implemented a Tenant Assistance Policy to provide support to tenants being displaced as a result of new development.  This policy is one of the most progressive in Canada, that offers 4 pillars of support for displaced tenants:

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1. Help finding new place to rent

2. Financial compensation to bridge gap between current and market rents

3. Financial support for moving

4. Right to return to redeveloped building at same rents in a unit with the same number of bedrooms

 

For more information, please click the link to the City of Burnaby’s Tenant Assistance Policy below:

 

https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/programs-and-policies/housing/tenant-assistance

 

It is important to note that this program is only for tenants displaced from purpose-built market rental apartment buildings with 5 or more units and not for tenants evicted from single family homes or secondary suites in such homes.  In other words, no protection or support is available for Brentwood Park renters.

 

We do not want those of us who are renting in Brentwood Park to be forced to leave our community.  Renters are an essential part of what makes our neighbourhood special, and you can help our cause.   

 

What can I do to help?

 

1.   Statistics

 

We are gathering statistics to determine how many renters live in our community.   If you are a renter, please email us your name and address and indicate if you are renting the entire house or a suite in the house, and the number of adults and children residing in the home.

 

2.  Know your rights as tenants.

  

Please refer to the BC Tenancy Act and understand your rights if you are evicted.

 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/ending-a-tenancy/evictions/types-of-evictions

 

3.  Write letters and emails to your local MLA, MP and the City of Burnaby (Mayor and Council).

 

The City of Burnaby is contemplating expanding its Tenant Assistance Policy to protect tenants displaced from single family homes and secondary suites.  In particular, Councillor Alison Gu noted this as a concern during a recent council meeting.  Please inform our elected officials about the detrimental consequences the new provincial housing legislation has on renters like yourself and others that you know.