Developers of new housing unit in Waterloo forcing residents out of homes
Posted Feb 2, 2022 04:00:00 PM.
A new condominium development on Golden Eagle Road in Waterloo will soon be under construction. But, currently, the area is housing 11 families in the townhouse complex.
Residents living in those townhomes are living on fixed incomes. They now are being forced out of their homes, taking on more expenses for renting. In November, the residents received eviction notices requiring them to be moved out of the space by the end of March.
Angela Veith, Ward 3 Councillor for Waterloo, spoke on the Mike Farewell Show on CityNews 570 and said she has heard from these residents. But she said the city no longer has jurisdiction.
“It does fit in with what is allowed in the city; it checks all the boxes in our official plan. All the zoning is correct, so it won't go to council because the developer is not asking for any changes.” She adds, “The location is awesome. We got lots going on here in north Waterloo. We have the LRT (Northfield) station, the Sobeys, a Starbucks, and a couple of restaurants. It is a very walkable spot.”
Waterloo Region has been dealing with a housing shortage for quite some time now.
Veith uses the term demovicition – which is the complete demolition. This also requires the tenants to move out of the space for demolition to occur. The region can bring in more housing to the city. Veith agrees it does come at a cost to the 11 units that are occupied. “So, what's happening now is that these kinds of projects are popping up because we need the housing.”
The developer had sent residents eviction notices near the end of last year. Some may have found another living arrangement, and some haven't. Either way, Veith encourages residents to know their rights.
“Residents should reach out to the developer and find out what their rights are. There is also information on landlord-tenant, and people need to know what they can ask for. I have posted the link to the community Facebook page.”
“The city has no jurisdiction over this. We can't do anything at this point.”
