Kristin Ham, a widowed mother of four, lost her job and then faced eviction from her home in the Newmarket Heights neighborhood when told her landlord was selling the property. However, the house was subsequently rented to new tenants for a higher amount of rent. Ham's story is just one of many about which housing advocates in Newmarket and York Region are raising concern. They are calling for stronger rent control between tenancies to combat the rising rental prices and "renovictions" (evictions that allow landlords to carry out repair or renovation work).
A story by Newmarket Today reporter Joseph Quigley explores the issue of renovictions with the struggle of Kristen Ham, a single mother in Newmarket who was forced out of her home due to a rent spike from $1,500 to $2,500 per month. The rental market in Newmarket and York Region has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, with many struggling to make ends meet. Despite government support, job loss and evictions have become more common, leading to conflict within the housing market.
Housing advocates in Newmarket have raised concerns about unfair and dishonest evictions, particularly in the Newmarket Heights neighborhood. This area traditionally been known as a lower-income neighbourhood with more affordable rents, but now some tenants are being forced to leave their homes due to increasing rental rates or large entities buying up property and driving up the market. Legal and social service agencies are focusing on providing advice to tenants and helping the community as a whole.
There is also concern around the removal of rent control, as landlords can potentially raise the rent to an exorbitant amount once a tenant leaves or is evicted due to renovation or another reason. This can lead to a lack of affordable rentals in the market and make it difficult for families like Ham's to find suitable housing. While there are legal options available to tenants, navigating the system can be challenging, and there is limited recourse if rent is not paid.
