Some 20 people gathered at Queen and Parliament - where the Rupert Hotel rooming house, destroyed by fire in 1989, once stood - to acknowledge the 10 who died there and the others who were left homeless nearly two decades ago, but also to push for better rooming house standards.
"The rooming house sector is dying. It cannot exist any more as a profit sector, but as a non-profit it could,'' says Rupert Coalition member Bart Poesiat at the Thursday, December 14, memorial. "What's happening now is an increase in unlicensed places that are below standard and firetraps, because there's a desperate need.'' There are currently around 500 licensed non-profit and privately owned rooming houses, but many more are unlicensed. The city is aware of shoddy conditions in the latter, claims Poesiat, but won't shut them down because it would produce more homelessness. Municipal licensing and standards (MLS) district manager Elizabeth Glibbery disputes charges that the city is looking the other way. "The city operates on a complaint-based system and investigates illegal rooming houses. If there are property standards violations, we work with community partners and, where necessary, find alternate housing for the tenants.'' Housing activist Michael Shapcott admits that fire safety conditions have improved dramatically, but pressure needs to be put on landlords to address suffocating heat during the summer. "People have no legal guarantee that conditions in their homes won't go into the lethal zone,'' says Shapcott
. But the city seems to be sending mixed messages. According to public health manager Reg Ayre , retrofitting Victorian-buildings-turned-rooming-houses is too costly and the city will look at cheaper ways to keep tenants cool. "A bylaw requiring all the landlords to put in air conditioning could drive some of them out of business, which then means a whole bunch of people without housing.''
But public health isn't the only reticent player. So, too, are some in the Rooming House Working Group , a coalition of for- and non-profit landlords and front-line workers, though for different reasons. "I'm not going to advocate that landlords install air conditioning or a fresh air circulator, because it's so expensive. Hydro is rising, and [landlords] don't get compensation,'' says the working group's Ken Kennedy . The Board of Health is awaiting an upcoming report from MLS and the medical officer of health regarding a maximum heat standard.
An Internet Fisherman who uses barbless hooks and this one dimensional world as a way of releasing the frustrations of daily life. This is my pond. You are welcome only if you are civil and contribute something to the ambiance. I reserve the right to ignore/publish/reject anon comments.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Why Would Anyone Want To Be A Landlord
If I had a spare room and I wanted to pickup a few $$$ to offset my increasing property taxes I wouldn't do it. Why? Mainly because all of a sudden I become a target for the social in-activists, poverty leeches, city bylaw gestapo, etc. No Thanks!
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About Me
- Unhypentated Canadian
- I lean to the right but I still have a heart and if I have a mission it is to respond to attacks on people not available to protect themselves and to point out the hypocrisy of the left at every opportunity.MY MAJOR GOAL IS HIGHLIGHT THE HYPOCRISY AND STUPIDITY OF THE LEFTISTS ON TORONTO CITY COUNCIL. Last word: In the final analysis this blog is a relief valve for my rants/raves.
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2006
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December
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- HAPPY HOGMANAY
- Hmm! The Reality Of New Years Eve Celebrations
- Come On Ann...Be A Little More Tolerant
- I Can't Believe That $$$ Are Going To This Research
- No Free Rides On TTC
- We Have To Keep An Eye On The Politicos In 2008
- Kyoto And Dion
- McGinty Gave Miller The Keys To The Candy Store
- Another Example That Proves Crime Is Down
- Another Best Of List.........
- Renewal Of Concept Of Barefoot & Pregnant?
- NOW's Highs & Lows
- Six People Who Make A Difference-Not A Politco In ...
- Another of Those %^$*ing End Of Year Lists
- Ask Yourself This Question & Answer Truthfully
- Another Example Of Failure At City Hall
- Message To Jamie Chaffe
- Everyone Agrees Homelessness Is Tragic
- This Is A Little Confusing
- The Deal Might Stink But Our Garbage Doesn't
- The Deal Might Stink But Our Garbage Doesn't
- The Deal Might Stink But Our Garbage Doesn't
- The Deal Might Stink But Our Garbage Doesn't
- First Volley In 2007 Campaign
- Toronto Might Not Be World Class
- You Can't Kiss Butt & Speak Out At The Same Time
- You Want To Bet Who They Voted For Mayor....
- Democrats Wandering In The Desert
- Where Would Liberals/Social In-Activists Be Withou...
- An Honor Well Deserved
- Closing Of Possum Lodge Creating A Vaccum
- Sorry Prof. Jensen-You Are 40 Years Too Late
- I Thought They Were Gifts........
- The Loser Are You And I
- Caution! Democrats At Work
- I Am Sorry Joe....The Anger Has Waned
- Let The Games Begin..........
- There Is A Lesson To Be Learned Here
- POPOURII
- A Gift For The PM
- To One & All
- TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
- And MICHELE MANDEL Is Not To Be Forgotten
- Sue-Ann's Hannakah Gifts
- City Of Toronto - An Enigma
- A Christmas Gift For Anonymous
- It Is A Real Concern But......
- The PM Puts Things In Perspective
- You Had Three Years Mayor....
- What Level Of Gun Crime IS Acceptable?
- I Pose The Question: Why Isn’t the Whole Left Neoc...
- The Reality of Xmas
- One On One Is A Solution
- The Better Way....Some Shortcomings
- Mayor Miller's Promise Of Full Disclosure Is A Joke
- Thank You For Taking The Time Magoogle!
- Same Old, Same Old At Toronto City Hall
- A Message To Vinay Menon
- It Is A F*&^ing Disgrace
- Breastfeeding In Public
- Right On The Money Dalton
- Anal Philosopher Needs To Lighten Up
- Xmas In Caledonia
- Dion Student Of Chinese Philosphy
- Why Would Anyone Want To Be A Landlord
- I Am No Fan Of Dalton
- Someone Needs To Educate The Educators
- The Massengill Madam At It Again
- It Is Hard To Recognize The Enemy
- EH! Let's Not Forget
- I Still Like The Toronto Island As A Dump
- Share The Wealth 101
- Security Is Becoming A Joke
- More Porta Pottys Needed
- Smoking Is A Religious Issue???
- Non-Smoking Legislation Does Have A Financial Impact
- Let's Cut Through All The Crap
- The Star Believes MPPs Are Second Best
- Remember Who Advocates Barbed Wire & Gun Towers`
- Another One On The Plus Side For Harper
- Airplane III
- The Future Of Toronto?
- Add To Xmas Day Brunch Menu
- Let's Revisit & Determine Who The Enemy Is.....
- A Message to Canadian Feminist Groups/Supporters
- Let's File Under Christmas 2007
- Me Neither
- We Don't Allow Funding Of Terrorists Organizations
- Garbage Dump In Our Own Backyard
- Not Enough Baskeball Courts & Not Enough Community...
- I Will Accept The Indian Premise
- Drink Of Choice On The View
- Bring Troops Home Immediately
- What Are The Facts
- It Is A Quiet Newsday So.....Here's Ann
- Thanks Andy
- McHale Is Pushing The Envelope
- Crime Is Down
- What Evil Lurks In The Hearts of Men......
- A True Canadian Hero Ignored
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