The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition is calling on community members to support a Yukon wide temporary moratorium on evictions without cause. A petition has been developed and distributed in consultation with other frontline housing advocacy groups. Names are being collected until Friday, November 26th, 2021.
“At this critical time when being housed is so important for everyone’s health and wellness, we are hearing from tenants and front-line housing advocates that the ability of landlords to evict tenants without cause is only adding to the current housing crisis,” says Michael Dougherty, YAPC secretary.
Given rising COVID rates, a severe shortage of available rental units, and winter upon us, YAPC is urging the Yukon Government to enact a temporary, six-month moratorium on the Eviction without Cause section in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (section 47). YAPC members believe that a moratorium would support the Yukon Government’s rental cap initiative by closing a loophole not previously identified. When faced with similar circumstances, other jurisdictions across Canada have enacted moratoriums on evictions. A Yukon moratorium could be implemented with an Order in Council.
Minister Richard Mostyn confirmed when the rental cap came into play that: “stable, affordable housing contributes to the health and well-being of all Yukoners and remains a priority for our government”.
“We know a variety of actions are currently underway to get families who are in immediate need into appropriate housing,” says Charlotte Hrenchuk, Co-chair of YAPC. “With a moratorium on evictions without cause, we can stop even more people from facing unnecessary evictions and becoming homeless.”
Petitions can be found at YAPC’s office at 509 Hanson Street, the Whitehorse United Church, Blood Ties Four Directions and the Safe at Home Society. For copies, please contact Kristina Craig at ed@yapc.ca. Sign the petition online or print out the hard copy, sign it, along with other supporters, and bring it to one of the locations mentioned above.