YOUR HOME, YOUR RIGHTS

Re: "Pot Shot" July 22-28

Unfortunately, the unnecessary and abusive eviction process inflicted
on subsidised housing resident Christina Goluch is not unique. Too
often, subsidised housing residents living on low income or suffering
from some form of disability suffer bullying abuse or have their
rights trampled by uncaring or over-zealous social housing agencies.
Often, the victim is medically challenged or a senior.

Although BC Housing publishes guidelines that direct their housing
providers to set up clear grievance processes, there is little
evidence that the Commission ever monitors them or that agency rules
are written down and presented to residents in a form that they can
understand. Without a clear statement of their rights or because of
their disability, through ignorance or fear of recrimination, most
subsidised housing residents will not complain about the ill treatment
they receive. The risk of being rendered homeless always looms large.

We have documented other similar cases of emotional and bureaucratic
abuse, and as a consequence have formed the Vancouver Island Social
Housing Residents Association (VISHRA) to advocate for the rights of
people living in subsidised housing. It is not an easy task. Due to
the relentless reduction of government services, it is now almost
impossible for a low-income person to obtain legal advice or direct
assistance. Delays of up to eight weeks in obtaining a hearing at the
Residential Tenancy Branch make a mockery of appealing a one-or
two-month eviction notice. Privacy issues and lack of access to
apartment-style housing projects make it difficult for us to contact
residents to inform them of their rights.

Subsidised residents do have rights. In the interest of justice, BC
Housing and its contracted housing providers must abide by the same
rules of fair treatment that they demand of their residents. Their
overwhelming power must not be allowed to escalate into bullying and
abuse.

Stuart Hertzog, Chair

Vancouver Island Social Housing Residents Association (VISHRA)