Dear friends & neighbours,

Eight and a half years ago, I moved into my apartment at 92 Sanford Avenue South, Hamilton. The building contains eight almost-identical units and is owned by Sean Little, an investor who lives in Toronto.

My apartment is only about 450 square feet, but in the many years I’ve lived here, I’ve managed to adapt it successfully as both a home and a workplace where I operate a small business called Attawandaron: Hamilton’s Publisher Ltd. You may have seen some of our books about Hamilton, or taken part in our walking tours and other events.

As a tenant at 92 Sanford, I’ve always paid my rent on time and tried to be a good neighbour and abide by the rules. I thought things were going well until August 31, 2023, when my landlord knocked at my door and handed me a notice ordering me to move out in 60 days. Mr. Little told me that his circumstances had changed and he needed my apartment to live in himself. Since being ordered to leave my home, I’ve spoken to many people. I’ve learned that the eviction process is widely abused in Hamilton. In addition to questionable claims that owners require apartments for themselves, there is the problem of “renovictions”, when owners claim they need vacant units to make repairs. An example of renovictions recently took place just down the street from me at 65/71 Sanford Avenue, where struggling tenants, some with severe personal challenges, were given the boot through no fault of their own.

My case at 92 Sanford is especially unusual. The owner-occupancy procedure is almost always used for rental units within homes, or for a house or condo unit. We haven’t found a single case when a tenant has been evicted from an investment property with eight or more identical units.

A hearing before the Landlord and Tenant Tribunal will take place on June 26, 2024. We hope to persuade the judge that it would be grossly unfair to throw out a tenant in circumstances when the landlord can easily move into an identical unit in his building. In fact, my landlord actually passed up another unit in this building two months ago. Yet when I asked him why he required my apartment specifically, he would not give me any reason.

I have been very fortunate in receiving the assistance of ACORN, an organization which fights for tenants in Hamilton. ACORN has also helped me to obtain the assistance of a lawyer.  During the last nine months I’ve become a supporter of ACORN as they take a stand against unfair evictions which are disrupting lives and creating havoc across Hamilton.

I am asking you to express your support by using the link on this website to contact the owner/manager of 92 Sanford Avenue South. There is also a link to ACORN, and a link for you to contact me. I welcome your suggestions and information, and I’d be happy to try to answer any questions you may have.