Essex tenants fear displacement as non-profit housing provider plans to sell homes

Essex residents are awaiting a potential eviction as a non-profit housing provider looks to sell units for repairs. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

Tenants in a southwestern Ontario community are raising concerns about their future after a local housing provider announced plans to sell dozens of homes, prompting fears of displacement among residents.

The Essex Non-Profit Housing Corporation says it intends to sell 53 of its 122 units over the next several years in order to fund critical repairs to the remaining homes.

For some residents, the news has been difficult to process.

“Ironically, my Facebook memory came up today that we signed our lease 13 years ago today,” said Lisa Alm, who lives on Milne Street South.

“We really do love living here… Our first feeling, I guess, was just heartbreak. Like, what are we going to do?”

Alm told CTV News that tenants were called to a meeting earlier this week where they were told about the plan.

“They just kind of pulled the rug out from under our feet,” she said.

“Told us they’re selling 53 homes… because they’re in financial difficulty.”

The homes, originally built more than 50 years ago, were purchased by the non-profit in 2012 after a previous co-operative arrangement dissolved, she said.

The board says the decision to sell was driven by mounting repair costs.

“There remain significant repair needs that, if unmet, will mean that many of the homes are unsafe to live in,” explained board member Dallas Alderson in a radio interview on AM800.

“We’ve been working really hard to try to get some funding from governments and other bodies to deal with this, really, essential capital repair needs. And we have been successful in some small amounts, but really, it’s not enough compared to meet the needs, which now outweighs our ability to pay for them. So that’s why we were put in the position of having to sell some homes, the smallest number possible in order to pay for essential repairs in the others so we can keep them safe.”

Alderson said the organization has invested millions into repairs over the past decade but estimates it would take roughly $20 million to fully address outstanding issues.

She said all proceeds from home sales will be reinvested.

“100 per cent of the money that comes from selling will go into the remaining homes… there is no profit being made here,” Alderson said.

The sales are expected to take place over a period of more than three years, with homes being listed gradually.

Still, uncertainty remains for tenants awaiting more information.

Residents are expected to receive letters indicating whether their homes are among those slated for sale, but Alm said the wait has been stressful.

“We have not been told anything other than wait for your letter in your mailbox on Friday,” she said.

Alm believes her home could be among those sold and said while some tenants may be able to purchase their units, many are not in that position.

“I’m really worried about a lot of people in our neighbourhood because they’re not in that position,” she said.

She added that while tenants were told they would not need to leave immediately, eviction could come after a home is sold.

“Once the house is sold… Then you’ve got 60 days,” she said, referring to Ontario’s eviction process when a purchaser intends to occupy a property.

Some residents are also questioning whether the sales can legally proceed, pointing to past issues under the former co-operative structure.

“We want to know if this is being done legally,” Alm said.

Others are organizing to support one another, with a local church offering space for residents to meet and discuss next steps.

At the municipal level, officials say their ability to intervene is limited.

Sherry Bondy said the housing provider operates independently.

“The Town of Essex and the county have limited involvement in housing… the town cannot become a landlord,” Bondy said.

“What we can do is play a support and advocacy role for residents, and I’m not even sure what that looks like yet.”

Bondy described the situation as a “housing crisis” for the community, noting the scale of potential impact in a town with roughly 9,000 homes.

“This is significant… this hits really hard when we’re trying so hard to make life affordable,” she said.

She added that while she understands the condition of some units, the situation remains challenging.

“I do know they’re in rough shape… it’s unfortunate that we’re here. It’s a really challenging situation.”

Bondy said she plans to meet with stakeholders and explore whether supports, such as housing waitlists or regional resources, can be mobilized. She also encourages residents to seek legal advice.

In the meantime, residents like Alm are left waiting — and worrying — about what comes next.

“It’s a bit scary,” she said.

“I don’t even know… I’m not sure where to go.”