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Vancouverites respond to COVID-19 rental announcement

The Vancouver Tenants Union is calling for an immediate moratorium on all evictions in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
woman-evicted-vancouver
Photo: Evicted woman sits on floor of apartment / Shutterstock

Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James have announced a $5 billion COVID-19 action plan to give immediate relief to people and businesses. However, many renters are fearful of what the future holds. 

Marielle Tounsi, Public Affairs Officer at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that no one will be evicted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As the Premier has said, no one will be evicted because of COVID-19," she writes. "Today, the Premier and Minister James announced B.C.’s $5 billion COVID-19 Action Plan that will give immediate relief to people and businesses, including a new $1,000 B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers whose ability to work has been affected by the outbreak."

"We are finalizing a comprehensive rental package and will be releasing that on Wednesday."

Andrew Sakamoto, a spokesperson for the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre, tells Vancouver Is Awesome that he thinks there should be a moratorium on all evictions in the province during the COVID-19 pandemic - not just for people who aren't able to pay their rent this April. 

"We don't feel it's appropriate for a landlord to ask someone to move due to renovations or because they're moving in their mother right now," he explains. "The province is battling a public health emergency, a pandemic.

"These are not normal circumstances."

Sakamoto argues that situations like these could force tenants to find alternative housing arrangements when they should be able to practice social distancing. What's more, he adds that in-person services won't be available for tenants who require a housing advocate.

So far, the province hasn't provided any specific details on how it will support renters, or what it plans to include in the rental package.

"There's been no changes to the law so far. We'll have to see what happens on Wednesday," he adds. 

Finance Minister Carol James also unveiled a one-time, tax-free $1,000 payment to workers who are eligible for employment insurance (EI), which will also be available to those who are not available for EI, such as people who are self-employed or parents who are at home with their children. The B.C. Emergency Benefit will complement existing and additional benefits available to workers at the federal level. However, many renters argue that $1,000 won't even cover a month's rent in Vancouver, let alone living expenses. 

The Vancouver Tenants Union is calling for an immediate moratorium on all evictions in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It states that, "One in five tenants in BC pay more than 50% of their income to rent.  A survey conducted by Leger polling in 2019 showed that 53% of Canadians report living paycheck to paycheck with 20% struggling to get by and 14% of respondents in a dire financial situation, such as filing for bankruptcy or having something sent to collections."

The union also highlights that people who lack housing or proper access to sanitation and rely heavily on community services don’t have the resources to “socially distance” themselves.

Have a look at what a number of Vancouverites had to say about the action plan on Twitter.

- With files from Business In Vancouver.