Hundreds of tenants given less than a week to find new homes

Tenants in an east end Hamilton apartment building say they now have less than a week left to find a new home. Tenants say they received eviction notices from their landlord who says renovations are needed.

A rally was held on Friday in Hamilton’s east end for people like Tammy Brown who was told she has to leave her two-bedroom apartment on Melvin Ave. Brown is currently paying $1,650 a month. She says her two children and one grandchild live with her.

“I have no clue yet, I got less than a week to find a place. I’ve lost everything in my apartment due to the bug infestation,” Brown said.

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Tracy Romanoski has lived in the building for 13 years and is only paying $850 for a two-bedroom, she also has to leave.

“It made me feel sick to my stomach, like what am I supposed to do? I’m a senior I’m on a pension, I can’t go anywhere and pay this price,” Romanoski said.

Tenants who live in the apartment building on Melvin Ave. were given eviction notices a couple of months ago.

A letter from property management says the building has been in disrepair for many years and they have no choice but to terminate individual leases effective July 31.

According to the letter, tenants were offered a payment of $4,500 as a sign of good faith, but they say that’s not enough given the high price for rentals in Hamilton.

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Ward 4 city councillor Tammy Hwang says the city is looking into a solution for so-called renovictions including a by-law that would put an end to them. If tenants feel they are living in units that need repair, they should reach out to the city.

Family Properties who owns Melvin Apartments says renovations are expected to last seven to 10 months. Tenants can then re-apply to live in the building. There is no word yet on how much the rent will be then.

CHCH News reached out to the owners of Family Properties today for comment, but we didn’t hear anything back. Some tenants say they just won’t leave at the end of the month and others are still scrambling to find a place.

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