Some Manor Village residents staying put after eviction deadlines pass

Some tenants of Nepean's Manor Village say they're not leaving their homes,even thougheviction dates issued to them have come and gone.

The dozens who remain,includingAmanda McMahon, are in a protracted disputewith Smart Living Properties in Ottawa and Forum Equity Partners in Toronto, which co-ownManor Village now called Woodroffe Place.

In April, tenants in 35 units on Majestic Drive and Woodroffe Avenue were issued N13 eviction notices by Smart Living, which manages the community. The noticesare used by landlords to end tenanciesso that a building can be demolished, renovated or converted to non-residential use.

But the tenants are calling them"renovictions," a term to describe renovations being usedas an opportunityfor landlordsto bring in new tenants and charge them significantly higher rents.

"I really don't know what I'm gonna do," said Amanda McMahon, who has lived in Manor Villagefor 36 years. "We pay our rent."

She said she currently pays just more than$1,400per month for her three-bedroom townhouse, and that similarunits that have already been renovated are now being rented for much more.

While the tenants have the right to move back inwhen renovations are complete, McMahon is worriedshe wouldn'tbe able to affordhigherrent.

Caring for four boys, her ill mother and havingmedical conditions of her own, she said it's not just a fight for her home it's a fight for her life.

"I don't know what we're gonna do. We could very possibly end up on the street or living in my van," she said on Wednesday.

"We don't have a family that could take all of us in and how do you separate a mother and her four children?"

Most of the tenants who remain had until Aug. 31to leave, but they say thatwithout their day in front of Ottawa's Landlord and Tenant Board, they're staying put.

Future LRT line readjusted

This is notthe tenants' first battle.

In June, after they made their voices heard, Ottawa city councilchanged the path of the future light rail line to Barrhaven to avoid tearing down Manor Village andCheryl Gardens.

If left unaltered,the projectwould have expropriated 120 relatively low-cost rental homes.

On Wednesday, the tenants and ACORN a national social organization that advocates forlow- and moderate-income peopleheld a "block party" to raise morale and encourage remainingtenants not to move.

"Let's uplift and let's focus on what we're doing and let's win this battle," said Peggy Rafter, who issupposed to leave her home of 30 years by the end of September.

In a statement, Smart Living Properties saidit needs tenantsout in order to repair and renovate the units, some of which "require all new roofs and full interior retrofits."

Relocation deals have been reached with some of the affected tenants, and they were also offered "home finding services and moving expenses," Smart Living's statement added.

The packages "remain on offer," the company said.

After the renovationwork is done, Smart Living saidthe 111 newly renovated units will be an asset to west Ottawa's rental market.

But McMahon said she doesn't understand why they can't stay while other units are renovated.

"I'm supposed to be moving today," she said. "As you can see, we're not going anywhere just yet."