A tenant support event at London city hall connected renters with advocacy groups and social services as concerns over housing maintenance, pest control and building safety continue across the city.
The gathering reflects broader issues facing tenants in London, where ongoing concerns about building upkeep, pests and safety remain common.
The event brought together several community agencies offering information, resources and one-on-one support for renters, particularly those with low or moderate incomes dealing with landlord or lease issues.
“It gives people a lot of information that they don’t have,” said Sharon Villeneuve, a member of the leadership team at ACORN. “If you don’t know the resources that are available, then you have no ability to access them.”
Villeneuve said the event saw strong turnout, with many attendees speaking privately about sensitive issues such as financial stress and mental health.
“It is a perfect opportunity to speak to people as individuals,” she said. “Sometimes you’re dealing with private issues and people need that space to tell what they are going through.”
She said the event is designed to be accessible, especially for people who may not have reliable internet access or the ability to seek help online.
Villeneuve said there is also a need for policy changes, including landlord licensing, to improve accountability in the rental market.
“People are supposed to be providing us a safe environment to live in,” she said. “Why do people not have to be licensed?”
She added that licensing fees could support stronger bylaw enforcement and better monitoring of problematic rental properties.
