Mixed Feelings About Evictions

Guilt by association at best is a legal quagmire and when it is practiced by minor beauracrats it becomes even more so. The fact that people are living in publicly funded housing developements doesn't mean that they have to live up to their civic responsibilies more diligently than people living in private accomodation.

Families with gang 'link' face eviction
City's housing agency draws criticism for use of L.A.-style tactics in Jamestown
January 24, 2007
Betsy Powell
Crime Reporter



Toronto Community Housing is attempting a mass eviction of families they say have street gang links in a bid to clean up the troubled Jamestown neighbourhood.

But some of those targeted are fiercely fighting the move before the Ontario Housing Rental Tribunal. Within the past year, TCH has served notice to leaseholders of 13 units in the Jamestown complex in Rexdale and there are likely more to come.

Some tenants have already moved out on their own. "They got the notice of termination and they left without challenging. Others have challenged," said Steve Floros, the corporation's director of property management.

And city-owned TCH is perfectly within its right to evict tenants when lines are crossed, Floros added.

"Our concern is, `What is the activity that's taking place on our property, what's the impact on the greater community,' and our remedy, like any other landlord, is to turn to the tribunal and say, `This is the issue, this is the tenants' involvement, and we're seeking a remedy which is eviction in some cases.'"

The proof has to be substantial