WARNING: This story could have an effect on those that’ve skilled gender-based violence or know somebody impacted by it.
For a few months, single mother Chantelle Edgar was afraid she’d be kicked out of her London, Ont., house along with her two-year-old daughter in tow, becoming a member of the tens of hundreds of individuals in Ontario alone who’re residing on the streets.
Edgar’s story shouldn’t be unusual, notably for girls with violent companions who typically use housing as a solution to additional exert management, mentioned Jessie Rodger, govt director of Anova, which helps folks going through gender-based violence in London.
However on Thursday, Edgar received a reprieve — an adjudicator with Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) dominated towards her landlord and agreed that residing in her house for the previous 4 years certified her as a tenant. Even although Edgar’s title isn’t on the lease, the adjudicator mentioned she might keep within the house and pay hire.
“More and more often, we’re seeing controlling the housing situation as another way to abuse and to cause harm to someone, whether they’re going to throw you out or change the locks or keep you off the lease,” Rodger mentioned.
Discovering someplace for a girl to go that’s secure, accessible and reasonably priced is difficult, they added.
“We used to be really focused on gender-based violence, and helping women unpack what’s happened to them and how to help them navigate living a life free of violence, and now we spend the bulk of our time trying to find people safe places to live.”
‘I don’t need to be in a tent’
Edgar had been residing within the two-bedroom house in south-end London for 4 years along with her boyfriend on the time.
Her ex — who’s now in jail for assaulting her — in addition to his father, sister and an ex-girlfriend signed the lease 9 years in the past, in accordance with proof offered at an LTB listening to this week.
After he was arrested in September, his father utilized to interrupt the lease. The owner then served Edgar with an eviction discover, arguing as a result of she wasn’t on the lease, she wasn’t a tenant and needed to be out by Dec. 31, 2024.
Edgar continued to pay hire, set at $1,050, however the landlord returned any cash she despatched. Edgar appealed the eviction and received in contact with Anova, which was full. She mentioned officers with the shelter wrote a letter to the Metropolis of London confirming Edgar and her youngster wanted to be placed on the precedence ready checklist for social housing. Edgar continues to attend for housing.
The owner additionally refused to jot down a letter confirming she was a tenant, which made it troublesome to search out youngster take care of her toddler and resulted in her cheque from Ontario Works getting clawed again as a result of she didn’t have a proper deal with, Edgar mentioned. The provincial program helps eligible folks with residing bills similar to hire and meals.
Edgar’s two-year-old daughter performs within the leaves exterior the London house constructing the place they stay. (Provided by Chantelle Edgar)
On Thursday afternoon, LTB adjudicator Elle Venhola ordered the owner to begin accepting Edgar’s hire and permit her to maintain residing there. Venhola informed Edgar to present a replica of the ruling to Ontario Works so she will be able to get correct month-to-month funds.
Edgar’s case is an instance of how susceptible tenants might be particularly impacted amid a housing disaster.
“Someone not being on the lease, that’s something we definitely see landlords use against tenants,” mentioned Kristina Pagniello, govt director of Neighbourhood Authorized Providers of London and Middlesex.
“With the shortage in housing stock and with how valuable these properties have become for landlords, if they can get someone out, then they can set a whole new rent for the next person. That’s the reality of not having true rent control.”
An house that rented for $900 a month 4 or 5 years in the past now goes for $2,000, Pagniello mentioned.
“Once a unit is vacant for even one day, a whole new rent can be set, and that’s how we’re losing affordable housing stock. There’s nowhere for people to go that they can afford,” she added.
Rental costs have began to stage off and extra housing is being constructed, however that hasn’t but trickled right down to low-income tenants who’re going through homelessness now, Rodger and Pagniello say.
“It’s not happening quick enough for the demand that we see,” Rodger mentioned.
‘The law isn’t black and white’
Edgar represented herself at this week’s LTB listening to and was fortunate to get an understanding adjudicator, Pagniello mentioned.
“We see at tribunals, the outcome depends on the adjudicator you get, so sometimes you get someone who is more sympathetic to the landlord or to the tenant. The law isn’t black and white.”
For Edgar, the ruling is an enormous aid.
“I’m just trying my best as a mother. I just want to keep me and my kid safe,” mentioned Edgar, who continues holding hope she’ll get a unit in social housing.
A paralegal for the owner declined to remark in regards to the case.
For anybody who has been assaulted, assist is obtainable via disaster traces and native assist companies by way of the Ending Violence Affiliation of Canada database.
