Mike Howell, Vancouver Courier
Published: Friday, December 26, 2008
EXCERPT
“RENOVICTION”
Christine Ackermann
In 2008 the term “renoviction” entered the lexicon out of a sense of frustration and vulnerability. The term describes the practice of landlords evicting tenants under the guise of doing renovations, either real or merely cosmetic, to increase rents. The story of 2008 is the continued evictions of tenants in Vancouver to increase the revenue of rents.
The West End is most vulnerable to renovictions. Eighty-two per cent of West Enders rent. Vacancy rates have been at historical lows for the past three years. In April, 20 tenants of the Glenmore at 1885 Barclay St. were given eviction notices. Ten tenants made to arbitration at the Residential Tenancy Office and negotiated a settlement to stay in their building. Of these 10 tenants, a new community leader emerged: Christine Ackermann.
Ackermann did not just fight to keep her home; she also helped her fellow tenants file for arbitration. Her tenacity and determination inspired her fellow tenants to stick together, file their arbitration together and save their homes. Her mental toughness and emotional strength gave her the ability to look her landlord in the eye and know what they were doing was not right. This steely-eyed confidence allowed her to understand that she needed to stand up to them and save the homes of her community.
Not only did Ackermann take a leadership role in her own building, but she also became an active member of the Renters at Risk Campaign. She helped organize a community forum and rallies. She has been a strong speaker on the rights of tenants and helped many folks find their voice and stand up for their rights. Recently, Ackermann has been assisting the tenants of the Seafield Apartments who are facing renoviction.
—Brent Granby, West End Residents Association (WERA).
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Photo – Jan Halvarson
Renters At Risk 