Residents of a Brampton high-rise at 99 Kennedy Road North are gathering today to protest unacceptable living conditions in the building, calling for immediate action to address issues including roach infestations, mold, and neglected repairs.
The protest is supported by ACORN, a national anti-poverty advocacy organization representing lower- and middle-income Canadians. The residents are demanding that the building’s landlord, Golden Equity, take immediate action to resolve the long-standing problems. Attempts to reach Golden Equity for comment have been unsuccessful.
The residents are also urging the City of Brampton to expand its landlord licensing program to include large apartment buildings like theirs. Currently, the city’s pilot program focuses only on smaller residential properties, leaving large corporate landlords, such as Golden Equity, largely unregulated.
“The city of Brampton is piloting a landlord licensing program, but only for small buildings, meaning large corporate landlords like Golden Equity who own high-rises are left completely unaccountable,” said ACORN in a statement.
The rally coincides with National Housing Day, highlighting the urgent need for social and non-market housing in Canada. Similar demonstrations are taking place in cities across the country today.
A spokesperson for the residents emphasized the need to bring attention to the deteriorating conditions and press landlords to act. “We are here to demand safe and livable housing,” they said. “We hope our landlord listens to our concerns and takes immediate steps to make the necessary repairs and ensure the safety of all tenants.”
The protest underscores broader issues of housing insecurity in Brampton and across Canada, where rising costs and neglect by property owners have left many residents struggling to find safe and affordable accommodations.
ACORN and the protesting residents aim to put pressure on the City of Brampton to include high-rise buildings in its landlord licensing program, ensuring greater accountability for corporate landlords. The expansion of such programs, advocates argue, is critical to protecting tenants and improving living conditions in the city.
The residents hope their actions today will draw attention to their plight and inspire meaningful change at both the local and national levels.