Student Association not sure how court ruling will impact renters
Sep 05, 2008 - 02:04 PM
By Jillian Follert
DURHAM -- One week after a judge found 37 landlords guilty of operating illegal lodging houses near the Durham College/UOIT campus, the student association at the schools is taking a wait and see approach.
Amy England, student association president, said it's too early to tell what the ramifications of the ruling will be.
"We're not sure yet, but I don't think it will have that much of an effect on student housing," she said. "We haven't had any calls from students about it, so right now, there's no problem."
An estimated 150 students live or were living in the 28 properties that Justice Peter Howden ruled to be commercial lodging houses.
The ruling says those landlords must immediately stop operating their homes in an illegal manner but it isn't known whether students will be evicted or how quickly the ruling will be enforced.
Ms. England said her concerns relate more to the human rights angle of the ruling than the housing logistics, saying it is worrisome that the judge attempted to define "family" in his decision.
In several instances in his ruling, Justice Howden classifies homes as lodging houses, in part, because the tenants live together out of a need for housing, rather than a family-like bond.
"If I'm living with my best friend, they're my family. We go shopping together, we pay our bills together, all those things," Ms. England said. "I think it's a very slippery slope when you start trying to decide who's a family and who isn't."
Officials at Durham College and UOIT are also unsure of how the ruling will impact student housing but are confident there will soon be enough other options to replace the 150 lost spots.
Gary Pitcher, director of campus safety, pointed out that a new 110-bed residence is now up and running on campus. The 23,000 square foot project by London Property Corporation will include another 110 beds by January 2009 and 130 more by September 2009, if neighbouring land can be acquired.
As well, Dundurn Edge Developments is soon set to break ground on Oshawa's first student apartment building at the corner of Simcoe Street North and Niagara Drive. The 551-bed project is expected to open for business by May 2010
"There is definitely a movement towards creating more housing options for students," Mr. Pitcher said. "Our main concern is that students have quality housing that is safe for them. We're looking at hiring an off-campus housing coordinator and developing an off-campus housing policy, to help make sure students are living in quality places."
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