New Tenant Assistance Policy approved

The Burnaby Tenant Assistance Policy (TAP) made an appearance again at City Hall this week, this time during council’s biweekly open meeting on Monday Oct. 7. Council also approved a new contract to replace Bonsor Recreation Centre’s roof. Plus, council approved a $3 million contract for infrastructure upgrades to seven laneways in Burnaby. 

Council approves changes to the Tenant Assistance Policy (TAP) 

During the meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, Burnaby councillors discussed the proposed changes to the TAP, which were presented to the city’s Planning and Development Committee on Sept. 25.

During the meeting, Coun. Daniel Tetrault asked staff about the changes related to tenants not eligible for assistance under the policy because they moved in after the property owner submitted a rezoning application. Under the new policy, property owners and developers are now required to inform ineligible tenants moving into a unit in a building of their eligibility status under the TAP. 

“I see there’s a piece about the requirement for the property owners and rezoning applicants to be in communication with ineligible tenants and possibly people moving in after rezoning. Before this change, what was required from them?” Tetrault asked.

In the previous version of the TAP, property owners and developers were not required to inform ineligible tenants that the building would be torn down, and the tenants were excluded from any assistance when it was torn down. This led to situations where developers and property owners did not inform new tenants who moved into apartments after rezoning of their ineligibility for assistance.

“It was encouraged and not required, and so now, being a requirement, we want confirmation that those ineligible tenants have been informed,” said Ed Kozak, the city’s general manager of planning and development said. 

Kozak added that the city works with property developers to ensure tenants know their status before they move in. 

“We work on a daily basis to try to rectify both eligible and ineligible tenants. So we always work with the applicant to see if there’s the opportunity to increase the number of protected tenancies,” Kozak said. “In the circumstance where a tenant has not been informed, we would work with them to see whether they can be made eligible or whether there’s alternate housing, but what we want to start with is ensure the information is clear.” 

Coun. Maita Santiago asked whether there are consequences for developers who do not inform ineligible tenants of their ineligibility. Johannes Schumann, the city’s director of neighbourhood planning and urban design, replied that the city works with tenants and developers to find solutions. 

“We work with the applicant to see if additional eligibility requirements could be provided and if additional units are available within the building. Often, we see that not all the units are returned to by previous tenants, and there are spaces available,” Schumann said. “So in those odd circumstances, we’ve been working with applicants to perhaps provide eligibility for those tenants. We cannot guarantee that for every application, but where there hasn’t been information provided, we try to work with the tenant and the applicant to find a solution.” 

Coun. Alison Gu introduced an amendment to the motion to protect temporarily displaced tenants who are evicted because they cannot afford to pay rent, despite receiving top-ups from the developer. 

“That section 4.3 of the Tenant Assistance Policy revision specify that in the case of an eviction with cause that is triggered by failure to receive a top-up, tenants remain eligible for TAP and replacement unit provisions,” Gu’s amendment said. 

$3M for new sewers, roads, and other infrastructure upgrades for seven laneways

During the meeting council also approved a new contract for a “Laneway Upgrades” project, which will involve several infrastructure changes for seven laneways. According to a council report, the project will involve: 

“Installation of new storm sewers to replace existing ditches and culverts; 

• Replacement of the existing roadway structure, encompassing asphalt and base gravels; and 

• Implementation of a new typical laneway cross-section standard complete with concrete rollover curb and gutter.”

The $3,483,573 contract will be awarded to Complete Utility Contractors Ltd., and according to the report, “Funding for this work is included in the 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan under the Engineering – Infrastructure, Housing Choices - Laneway Paving & Other Offsite Servicing Program with an overall plan of $18,502,600. This program is funded through the Housing Accelerator Fund, which is Federal funding received by the City to support change within local governments and improve land use planning and development to accelerate the supply of new housing. This program will provide the infrastructure required to support properties eligible for the construction of laneway homes.”

A new roof for Bonsor

Council also approved a contract for  $1,118,145 to be awarded to Alfred Horie Construction Co Ltd. for a new roof for Bonsor Recreation Centre.  

“The scope of this project includes demolition and disposal of concrete structures, supply and installation of a concrete staircase, and re-roofing of identified roof areas of the Bonsor Recreational Complex Plaza. The current structure is experiencing major problems, such as leaks, and needs to be repaired right away,” the council report said. 

According to the report, the project’s funding is included in the 2024-2028 financial plan under the section Lands and Facilities – Facilities Management, Component Lifecycle Renewal – Parks and Recreation Program with a plan of $46,163,000.

This piece was made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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