One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program

 FYI...

Dear Residents,

Durand Village Team would like to share with you some good news.

The Government has a new program that some renters may be eligible for. Below is a description of the One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program from their website:

LINK: One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit - Canada.ca

The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit aims to help low-income renters with the cost of renting. You may be eligible for a tax-free one-time payment of $500 if your income and the amount that you pay on rent qualify.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers this one-time payment. To apply for this new federal one-time payment, you do not need to receive other housing benefits such as the Canada Housing Benefit, which is co-funded and delivered by the provinces and territories. Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023.

Please be sure to check the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for this One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program. Management office will be happy to assist you with rent receipt or confirmation of tenancy with rent paid information during business hours.   

Thank you.

Selina Guo

 

Updates from the Executive Committee

 

Hello Members, Non-members and those who have yet to decide!  Your Durand Village Tenant Association  (DVTA) is well.  We have continued to work and achieve success, build healthier relationships, and continue to support win/win outcomes.

Covid has caused a silence in communication on many levels. The strength of the DVTA Executive Committee continues to meet and address concerns.

The DVTA has made effort to address the hardship of the extremely long time-frame endured at 93 Bold balcony reconstruction.  There were many factors beyond our control that contributed to the unorthodox delays.  If you have any documentation/correspondence  i.e., ClikFix or emails, with property management regarding this, would you like to submit a copy to the DVTA?

General Meetings:  The DVTA Executive is reviewing utilizing video conferencing such as Zoom to hold general meetings.  This format would also be utilized for an Annual General Meeting.  Please let us know your receptivity to embrace Video Conference Meetings.

Membership Campaigns:  In the past, the DVTA has gone door to door, set up registration areas in the lobby of 75 Bold, posted flyers/bulletins, and utilized emails for current membership renewals.  Normally, membership drives occur during April/May, because of Covid, this event has been happening in September/October.  The DVTA Executive Committee would like to bring this event back into alignment with our Constitution.  Are you a resident within Durand Village?  Would you like to be a member of the Association?  If so please email us at dvtassociation@gmail.com

The Constitution is also under review for updating.

Elections/Appointments:  DVTA Executive Committee is in need of committee members.  We need members who are dedicated to creating responsible diplomatic win/win solutions and feel you can keep a commitment to serve in an on-going basis.  There is a need for Board Members who are willing to cross train as President, Vice~President, Treasurer, back up Secretary as well as learn the Google Blog site.  If you feel you have the qualifications, please let the DVTA know of your interest by email: dvtassociation@gmail.com 

In this new year of 2023, staying connected, building and sustaining good relationships, and being active members of the Durand Village Association has gently morphed into the virtual world.  With the virtual world, the DVTA is committed to sustaining our personal and heart-felt connections.  

Over the years the DVTA has made great strides in improving relationships with property management.  This is reflected in the now professional quality memos and flyers from property management as well as the more professional and friendly approach of the property management staff. 

The DVTA Executive Committee accomplishments for a greater lived tenant experience in 2022:

•     Swiftly and quickly re-instated postal service to 93 Bold when Canada Post abruptly suspended   delivery due to balcony construction, citing Occupational Health & Safety issues.
  
•     Second-hand smoke, from cigarettes........
•     Lack of heat in units dealt with quickly and without fuss.....
•     Ensuring free street parking during garage line painting

The DVTA Executive Committee extends best wishes to everyone for a healthier, happier and most prosperous 2023 year.   

No Parking Exemption for 90 Duke

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

  

As promised, DVTA has followed up with BGO (BentallgreenOak) regarding parking exemption for 90 Duke St.  Below is the outcome.

 

Please be advised that Selina, Leasing and Resident Experience Manager was unable to secure parking exemption for 90 Duke on Wednesday, July 21 from  Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office.

Please do your best to move your vehicle every 3 hours to avoid a parking ticket.  Please avoid the school parking lot as it is considered private property.

Thank you for your kind understanding.  Any questions or concerns need to be directed to the Leasing and Resident Experience Manager because the responsibility lies with BGO for the late notice and lack of action to communicate earlier on with Parking Enforcement.

Warmly,

DVTA President

Doreen

Parking Ticket Exemption

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

  

Please be advised that 93 Bold, 75 Bold and 90 Duke received notice this morning Monday, July 19, 2021, that power sweeping & line painting will be talking place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

Thank you Joe of 93 Bold for suggesting the Parking Enforcement Office be notified and an exemption for Tuesday, July 20, be requested.  Joe, Bruce and I, DVTA President, spoke with the Leasing and Resident Experience Manger (LREM). She was receptive to the suggestion.  However, her work load today was heavy and the office was short of personnel.  

In an effort to continue to maintain a respectful working relationship with property management and keeping the best interest of our residents in our heart, the DVTA President (with the LREM in agreement), the DVTA President contacted Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office, explained the circumstances and secured an exemption for 93 and 75 Bold for Tuesday, July 20.  

As long as all residents are legally parked, there will be no tickets issued tomorrow.

I apologize to the residents of 90 Duke for not being initially included in the exemption request because the DVTA President was not informed that 90 Duke was scheduled for Wednesday and not Tuesday.  The Leasing and Resident Experience Manger (LREM). has agreed to call Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office to request and exemption for 90 Duke on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

The DVTA President will follow up with LREM tomorrow for regarding the possible exempt status for 90 Duke St.

Warmly,

DVTA President

Doreen

Seond-Hand Smoke & Toxic Fumes

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

 

If you are experiencing second-hand smoke seeping into your apartment or toxic fumes, 

1. report the offence to ClikFIX
2. call Hamilton Health Unit and file a report ... 905-546-2489 ext. 5566 choose option 2.  
3. There is no cost to call and advise the Hamilton Health Unit.  They are receptive and my experience is they appreciate the reports.

DVTA Executive Committee

DVTA Advocating for Healthy Durand Village Buildings

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

  

This notice is to let all residents know that the DVTA has been monitoring air quality at 93 Bold because of complaints of second-hand smoke, lack of air exhaust from kitchens and bathrooms.  Below is an email sent to the Leasing and Resident Experience Manager, Selina Guo.

Your DVTA Executives do much behind the scenes to support your tenant rights, safety and quality of life.  We feel this environmental situation warrants your awareness.

 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Hello Salena,

Thank you for making the time to meet with DVTA representatives, President Doreen South and Vice President Judi, Yesterday Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

Because of secondhand smoke filtering in to various units, the DVTA has taken air quality readings. The floors that readings were taken on or nine through and including the ground floor. An air quality reading was also taken in your office in the lobby and outside the building.

The readings provide evidence that on this particular day, it appears that the entire building was in a state of poor air quality. Pictures are attached of the readings for the record.

Your statement about not trusting our air quality monitor has been heard and duly noted. The DVTA‘s recommendation is that BGO purchase their own air quality monitor and as a matter of maintenance practice, do regular readings in the hallways of not only 93 Bold but also 75 Bold and 90 Duke Streets. 

Thank you for advising the DVTA executive members that the construction workers have been advised to not smoke in the covered Courtyard area 93 Bold Street.

We also discussed the fact that it appears that the exhaust units on the roof are not functioning because air is not being drawn out of the units causing an accumulation of secondhand smoke as well as cooking fumes and humidity being sustained in bathrooms.

It is the DVTA‘s impression that we have been heard and understood on this particular topic and that BGO will indeed have these rooftop units checked and brought to code.

Warmly,                  Kindly,
DVTA President.   DVTA VP
Doreen South.       Judi Keller

 

 

The Right and Safety to Organize

 

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

 

Organize!

Does your building or community have a tenants’ association?  Yes!  

The Durand Village Tenant Association (DVTA)

Did you know that as a tenant, you have the legal right to organize a tenants’ association?  Yes

A tenants’ association can:

•  empower all tenants, 
• help build a sense of community and strengthen your rights as tenants. 

You are legally protected by Section 233 of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which states that a landlord cannot interfere with any tenant who is organizing or joining a tenants’ association.

1. Tenants can come together to demand better living conditions. 
2. When tenants become part of a tenants’ association, they are stronger and more effective at making their demands heard. 
3. These demands can include:
1.  improving maintenance and security, 
2. fighting demolitions or conversions, 
3.  disputing unfair rent increases and much more.

 Your DVTA has a Constitution and has been building a professional working relationship with past and current Property Management.

  

 The DVTA is here for members: 

• feeling unsuccesful in being heard and understood by Property Management. 
• requesting maintenance through ClikFIX that has not been completed
• receiving mentoring on Above Guideline Increases (while available)
• needing direction to appropriate links for supportive information i.e. Legal Clinic, Landlord Tenant Board Forms, etc.

 The DVTA is here for non-members:

• on common areas
• on common issues

Pre-Covid19, the DVTA met quarterly.  Please click on the tab labelled Constitution for more information about the DVTA structure. 

Your are invited to become a member and be a part of the solutions to a better quality of life in Durand Village.

 

Some information contained herein has been provided by ACTO (Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario).