Waterloo City Council faces pushback on potential Erb Street ‘demovictions’
Posted May 28, 2025 11:39:48 AM.
Last Updated May 28, 2025 01:10:35 PM.
Members from a local community in Waterloo are making their voices heard to city council on a proposed eight-storey apartment complex that could be on the way to Erb Street West.
It happened at a meeting on Monday, May 26, when neighbours of 359-369 Erb St. W. spoke to city councillors about their thoughts on the possible development.
“This proposal is a lose-lose-win situation,” said resident of Waterloo and neighbour, Anila Yadavalli. “The current tenants of 359-369 Erb lose, the neighborhood loses, and the developers are the only ones who win.”
According to the proposed plans, the new apartment complex would include 224 total rental units, a majority of which are single-bedroom apartments. Of those 224 units, 22 have been slotted as affordable.
“The housing crisis is very real and very difficult for middle to low-income families who are unable to afford rent and purchase homes. In our view, this type of development contributes to the housing crisis,” stated Yadavalli.
She called the demolition, evictions, and development of newer, higher-costing apartments an example of ‘demovictions’ here in Waterloo Region. The developers have said they will be offering the new affordable units to the displaced tenants before the rest of the public.
Four residents from the local community spoke to council during the meeting, with others sharing similar sentiments in regards to the loss of current affordable units already located in the low-rise apartment complex.
“This developer wants to tear down about 40 very affordable units. They want to replace them with units that we do not need,” said community member Vince Carere. “We absolutely do not need any of them.”
“We’d like to ask both city council and the developer how this proposal actually helps the housing crisis. People who can afford to live in a luxury high-rise building like the ones proposed are not the ones struggling in the housing crisis,” said resident of Waterloo and neighbour of the apartments, Anila Yadavalli.
During the presentation brought forward by developers and city staff, they pointed to a need for the units that the potential upcoming project would include. Carere claimed that such a statement was inaccurate about the city.
“To say that we need these units is a complete and utter fabrication and falsehood. We currently have an abundance of unrented units just like these. The vacancy rate for units identical to these is at least 25-30 per cent.,” said Carere.
Currently, the city has a limit on the height of the potential development at six storeys, meaning city council would have to make changes to the official plan and zoning bylaws in order for a permit to be issued to accommodate the eight-storey project.
Council didn’t make a decision on the development during the meeting. Instead, it will all be voted on at a later date once city staff have had further time to develop additional planning reviews.
“The City of Waterloo has choices. They can sign an executive order, so to speak, and let this developer do whatever they want. Or they can show strength and say no.”
