Ali Family Wins New Housing Unit!

We previously reported how, on October 3, an OCAP delegation went to the head offices of Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) to challenge a huge injustice the family was facing. Nadir Ali was living by himself in Canada after arriving here from Sudan and he obtained a bachelor TCH unit. When his wife and child were able to join him, they had no option but to live together in an overcrowded situation. TCH took the position that only Nadir could stay and that the other two family members would have to go to a homeless shelter until, at some point in the future, a two bedroom unit became available. When the family refused to be separated, they were threatened with eviction and, then, a massive rent increase they could not possibly afford.

On October 3, a line of cops waited for us in front of the plush Rosedale headquarters of TCHC and its management refused to meet with anyone other than Nadir, denying him any representation. Despite this outrageous behaviour, TCHC did not carry out any of its threats and, last week, the family signed a lease of a two bedroom TCH unit in an area of their choice. The courage of these people and the support mobilized on their behalf made all the difference in keeping them housed and together as a family.

If you are having a problem with OW/ODSP, are being denied benefits,
are having trouble with your landlord or TCHC, give us a call:
416-925-6939 and let's fight back together.

PREVIOUS STORY and call for action from October 3rd:
Call and Email TCHC Today! Support Family Under Attack by Toronto Community Housing

On Wednesday, October 3rd OCAP and allies from PSAC Ontario Region and No One is Illegal, gathered in front of the headquarters of Toronto Community Housing to support a family facing a defacto eviction due to an unfair and egregious rent hike. Shamefully, TCHC refused to meet with the Ali family and a representative from OCAP to resolve this issue. Instead what we were met with was a line of police and a closed door. When we called the VP of Operations, Chuck Dowdall, he stated that he would not allow the family to have a chosen representative, and that he refused to allow for a delegation.

We need to put pressure on TCHC - please Call and Email today to demand:

1) That TCHC immediately meet with the Ali family and their chosen
representative
2) That TCHC immediately reverse the hike to full market rent and allow the Ali family to remain in rent-geared-to-income housing

Chuck Dowdall, VP Operations
Phone: 416-981-4569 / Email: Chuck.dowdall@torontohousing.ca

CC to: Eugene Jones, CEO
Phone: 416-981-4203 / Email: Eugene.JonesJr@torontohousing.ca

BACKGROUND: As Nadir Ali explained to at the gathering, when he arrived
from Sudan he to obtain a bachelor apartment with Toronto Community
Housing (TCHC). Then, his wife and small daughter were able to join him. It will take some considerable time for them to get a larger unit and, in the meantime, they are having to live in very overcrowded circumstances.

TCHC responded to this situation by informing Nadir that his wife and
child would have to move into a homeless shelter. The family is not
prepared to be separated and nor should they be. TCHC has retaliated by
informing Nadir that he will now have to pay full market rent of $720 for the unit. Since the total income available to the family is $600 a month, this is a defacto eviction.

All attempts to resolve this matter up to this point have been ignored or dismissed by the housing authority which is why the family is now making this a public issue. Today we brought a delegation to TCHC and we intend to keep up the pressure. We will bombard TCHC with calls and emails to show the broad community support for the Ali family, and we will prepare to go back to TCHC headquarters again and again until this issue is resolved.

For more information, call us at (416) 925-6939
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
www.ocap.ca