![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976186.1721847997!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Tenants fighting proposed redevelopment in Centretown
As the City of Ottawa faces a housing shortage, there is controversy brewing in Centretown over a proposed redevelopment that many tenants say could leave them homeless.
"I have no idea where I would go there is nothing affordable or accessible to me in Centretown," said resident Julie Ivanoff.
Ivanoff has been living in her apartment at the corner of Bank and Lisgar streets for three years, but in October she received an eviction notice.
Property owner 211-231 Bank Street Holdings purchased the buildings on the block two years ago. The owner plans to build a new nine-storey building with 263 apartments and retail space on the bottom.
All of the tenants in the 27 apartments and the businesses on the block received eviction notices, but the project has yet to be approved by city council.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"In that building right now there are long term tenants if they are evicted they will never be able to afford an apartment at the same rate," said Somerset Ward Coun. Ariel Troster.
Albert Bourjeili is the owner of Hairmosa, a staple on the block for more than 20 years. He recently relocated to Wellington Street.
"We did not receive any notice they were selling," Bourjeili said. "To be honest, the block needs help. It's too old. I spent, you can say, all my youth in that corner over there for 23 years. I'd like to see it better and hopefully, without anyone getting hurt."
The company and its development manager, Smart Living Properties, says the proposed project will revitalize the area, demolishing the current buildings but keeping the historic façade.
In a statement, Smart Living Properties says, "A generous and comprehensive relocation assistance package was offered to all tenants. Whereas the required payment by law is three months rent, the relocation package offered by the developer included up to 12 months rent compensation plus $500 moving service credit."
The proposed redevelopment has support from the Centretown Community Association but, at the same time, it points to the need for more affordable housing.
"We need more housing in general and we need affordable housing," said president Mary Huang.
"With the working from home, the north part of Centertown has been pretty empty, which leads to deterioration."
While it may be solving one problem, tenants like Ivanoff say it's creating another.
"In order to get people housed, you need to make sure that other people lose their homes? That doesn't make sense," said Ivanoff.
Seventeen tenants are currently fighting to stay.
"This is a big challenge to tackle because we want intensification, we want more people, but we don't only want people who can afford to pay thousands of dollars in rent," said Troster.
"I really think this developer can make good with their community by offering low cost units to the 17 households that are that are still in the building."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.