VICTORIANEWS VICTORIA COMMUNITY
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Campers need help
Bring on the buskers
A loss of grant money means fewer summer-camp subsidies at Blanshard Community Centre. Page A11
The city plays host to the second annual Victoria International Buskers Festival starting Friday. Page A17
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
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Proposed regulations could lead to eviction of low-income tenants
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SEWAGE TREATMENT: As Capital Region municipalities prepare to move further forward on this $782-million project, the News asks, where do we go from here? Story, page A3.
Agencies question city’s call for more diligence in granting housing assistance Roszan Holmen News staff
Social agencies have some reservations about a request from Victoria council to add another criteria to the rental-subsidy checklist. Already, non-profit housing providers struggle to find available housing that is both affordable and safe for their clients. Should Victoria get its way, the agencies may also have to ensure the housing is legal. Don McTavish, manager of shelters for the Victoria Cool Aid Society, questions whether compliance with city bylaws and zoning should be his concern. “Do I care?” he asked. “Whose needs is that serving?” Last week, the City of Victoria wrote to the provincial government, which provides many types of income assistance, including some specifically allocated to rent. In its letter, the city makes the argument that as a funding body, the ministry has a responsibility to ensure public funds are being directed appropriately. That means housing subsidies shouldn’t be paid to landlords of illegal suites or rooming houses. “(The province is) essentially cutting the cheques and walking away,” said Coun. Marianne Alto. “That’s not okay.” The basis for some of the city’s bylaws aren’t arbitrary, she said. “It’s all about public safety and fairness.”
Don Denton/News staff
Don McTavish, manager of shelters for the Victoria Cool Aid Society, works to get clients into rental housing. The issue came up at city council after bylaw officers discovered a number of illegal boarding houses in recent months. When attempts to bring the landlords into compliance failed, enforcement action ultimately displaced some tenants. In several cases, the tenants were receiving a rental subsidy. In May, city council agreed to enforcement action against a property at 830-832 Queens St. The duplex was housing too many people and had electrical and other work done without a permit.
Dirty Carpets?
PLEASE SEE: Clients, Page A10
Command performance Petty officer (second class) Mike Savick’s image is reflected in his tuba while the Naden band plays during a change of command ceremony held last week on CFB Esquimalt’s Museum Square. Capt. (N) Bob Auchterlonie takes over as base commander from Capt. (N) Craig Baines, who moves to Canadian Forces College in Toronto.
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