Comments on ACORN

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Ottawa ACORN members will rally to fight to improve the conditions of their units and apartment complexes on July 26. Ottawa ACORN Herongate Tenants has worked for 3 years strong to improve their community. In June 2009, we won the re-opening of the maintenance office after management closed it, making it nearly impossible to file a work order. Members have also done “mini-audits” with city by-law, taking them to tenant’s units with long outstanding repair issues, and helping getting tenant’s individual repairs fixed. We have also won rental decreases in court when management tried to increase rent for maintenance that did not happen a Herongate building. Last year, members and organizers in the winter did a doorknocking campaign handing out “know your rights” information, informing tenants about to file work orders with management and how to contact city by-law if no result. Herongate had the most calls to by-law that year. In late last year, members won a tenant hotline from the city of Ottawa to stream-line calls and receive increased service from by-law. Members have also asked councilors at city hall to introduce protective legislation to have regular city inspections, rent escrow programs, and licensing for landlords, much like a restaurant.

Ottawa ACORN Herongate Tenants, who are members of Ottawa ACORN, have worked hard to claim what they are paying for within their lease. They have pledged to continue to fight for their rights and also for tenants across the city. Our members and tenants in the area are all volunteers, working people, single parents, seniors, new immigrants, students, people living with disabilities, and low-income citizens working together to improve their community. We have held community and tenant leadership trainings over the years, which have helped bring our diverse membership together. On Tuesday of next week, members will hold a press event featuring tenant testimonies, photos of disrepairs, our mock “giant workorders”, pass out tenant information on rights and responsibilities.

When: Tuesday July 26- 11AM-2011

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