‘Renoviction’ fears very real for the poor
Re: “Temporary leave is not a ‘renoviction,’ woman learns,” Oct.11
Indeed, as a longtime non-market-rate apartment renter, I fear one day losing my own residence through eviction by reason of renovation (a.k.a. “renoviction”) – a means by which large real estate owners can become considerably wealthier by replacing non-market-rate rental units with big-bucks condos.
The renoviction epicentre, the West End of Vancouver, got well under way about a decade ago; it’s been slowly creeping outward since.
Where can a renter there possibly go to afford non-market-rate rental shelter, except in the outlying areas – the suburbs – until they’re eventually driven to the, for the most part, still-affordable Metro Vancouver outskirts, territory which will not themselves guarantee respite from the spread of the renoviction virus.
And with the renovictions infection spreading outwards from its ground-zero, “non-profit” coupled with “supportive housing” are as crucial as ever for the shelter-survival of the poorest regional residents.
Frank G. Sterle, Jr., White Rock
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