A councillor motion is coming up at Tuesday’s meeting in North Bay that calls on the city to lobby Ottawa and Queen’s Park to help finance a program to “avert another major homelessness crisis.”
A recent Near North Landlords Association (NNLA) survey showed nearly 12 percent (approx. 492 people) of member housing stock is facing eviction because of rent arrears.
The NNLA includes members from West Nipissing to Mattawa.
“When this modest percentage is applied across the total number of units in all the private rental housing stock across Nipissing District, it is estimated that 600 units are in arrears with the possibility that up to 1100 people are at imminent risk of eviction,” reads the motion which was put forward by Councillor George Maroosis.
The motion continues to share that the NNLA has formed a partnership to help find a solution for the rent arrears and a proposed program for qualifying tenants was developed.
“This would include a negotiated repayment plan that would see the landlord forgive 1/3 of the arrears, the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) to fund 1/3, and the final 1/3 would be paid by the tenant,” reads the motion.
The motion also adds that DNSSAB would finance their share through federal and/or provincial funding programs.
North Bay Council will vote on the motion at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
