Summary:
Residents rallied at Brampton City Hall to support the city’s residential rental license program, calling for tougher action against illegal rooming houses that violate safety regulations. They expressed concerns about the growing underground housing market, particularly for international students, warning of potential tragedies due to unsafe living conditions. The program aims to ensure landlords comply with safety standards, but residents want more government backing.
Residents of Brampton are raising alarms about the dangerous conditions in illegal rooming houses, urging stronger enforcement of the city’s Residential Rental License Program. About 100 concerned citizens gathered outside Brampton City Hall on Sunday to show their support for the program, a pilot initiative launched in January to crack down on illegal rental units that violate health and safety codes.
The rally emphasized the imminent risk these illegal houses pose, with residents citing concerns about the potential loss of life due to fires or unsafe living conditions. “Worst case scenario, honestly, is a loss of life,” said one rally attendee, expressing fears that insufficient fire exits or unsafe windows could trap residents in dangerous situations.
The Residential Rental License Program requires landlords renting out one to four units to register with the city and undergo inspections. This ensures compliance with fire safety and health regulations. If violations are found, bylaw officers have the authority to impose fines. According to Mayor Patrick Brown, the city has witnessed 21 fires in illegal units in the past year, with tragic incidents like a mother and her 3-year-old daughter losing their lives in a fire last spring. This statistic underscores the urgency of tackling illegal housing.
Local residents have already noticed positive changes in their neighborhoods since the program’s introduction. One resident recalled how 20 students had been crammed into a single house across the street, playing loud music at all hours. Thanks to the rental licensing initiative, those disturbances have decreased, providing much-needed relief to long-time homeowners.
Despite the progress, rally participants and city officials agree that more needs to be done. International students and newcomers, particularly those coming through asylum programs, have significantly contributed to Brampton’s population surge, creating an underground market of unsafe housing options. The mayor stressed that Brampton can’t tackle this issue alone, calling for federal and provincial support to expand the initiative and address the housing shortage.
While some landlords claim the program unfairly targets those who comply with the law, residents and officials remain resolute. As long as illegal, unsafe living conditions persist, Brampton’s fight against bad landlords will continue, ensuring the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable residents.