GVAT Supports Tenant Rights
The BCGEU held a rally to support tenants at the BC Legislature on September 13, and GVAT was there! The focus was the need for vacancy control, real rent control, where the rent is tied to the unit not the tenant. Currently landlords have great incentive to evict tenants, as there is no limit to the new rent. They are limited to 3.5% rent increase but only for existing tenants, not for new ones.
GVAT was one of many speakers at the rally, adding our voice to the need for real rent control in BC. Over 60% of residents in the city of Victoria are renters and almost 40% throughout Greater Victoria. Rents are increasing annually 18 to 20%. How can this be happening? Because tenants are displaced and higher rents imposed on new tenants. Many senior renters have told us how worried they are about losing their homes. Anxiety amongst renters is very high, especially for ones who have been in their homes for years.
Real rent control will not solve the housing crisis but it will slow down the number of people - families, youth, and seniors being evicted. Increase in building truly affordable housing supplies the only answer to the housing crisis. We need more affordable housing built by government and nonprofit agencies.
You can find more information here:
BCGEU Backs Vacancy Controls to Ease Rental Crisis | The Tyee
B.C. General Employees Union calls on province to implement vacancy control rental policy (msn.com)
B.C.'s housing crisis: BCGEU joins the call for the province to implement vacancy control | CTV News
BCGEU pushes for vacancy control | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)
BCGEU pushes for vacancy control to address the housing crisis - Vancouver Times
BCGEU joins the call for the province to implement vacancy control in B.C. (headtopics.com)
Organizations rally for rent-control policy - Pique Newsmagazine
