VANCOUVER (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories) - As rent in Vancouver continues to be out of reach for too many, housing and tenant advocates have spoken up in support of Lucy Maloney’s motion to return the Renter Office to City Hall.

In 2023, ABC Vancouver killed the Renter Office, citing financial support to renter-serving organizations. But these are not enforcement bodies. The City has its own renter protections in place, and must have a department with a strong mandate to enforce them.

The motion is a way to demonstrate to renters that the City of Vancouver has tenants’ backs. It will be considered at the Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities today - June 4.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE RETURN OF THE RENTER OFFICE:

"The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) supports the motion to establish a City of Vancouver Tenant Advocacy Office. TRAC assists hundreds of renters each year with disputes at the Residential Tenancy Branch, but we are limited in how we can help renters enforce rules specific to Vancouver. TRAC would welcome a new Tenant Advocacy Office that could function as an accessible first point of contact for renters and renter-serving organizations, advise on and coordinate efforts between City departments, and work towards the ultimate goal of improved landlord compliance with Tenant Relocation and Protection Policies and other renter-related City rules."

Andrew Sakamoto, Executive Director, Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)

"A Tenant Advocacy Office will help ensure the city's tenant protections are clearly communicated and effectively monitored. We need to build more housing, and this would help do so fairly."

Abundant Housing Vancouver

“Renters make up half the population of Vancouver, yet two years ago the City closed the one office dedicated to supporting us in the middle of a housing crisis. With displacement accelerating and redevelopments reshaping neighbourhoods, restoring a Tenant Advocacy Office just makes sense. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that renters matter as much as homeowners. At First United, we see low-income and vulnerable tenants and community members in the Downtown Eastside and beyond pushed out of their homes daily. They’re left to navigate evictions without the support they need, while promises of protection go unmet. The Tenant Advocacy Office can be an important frontline service to meet their needs, provide important information at times of crisis, and ensure that tenants’ rights are upheld.”

Amanda Burrows, activist, organizer and executive director of First United

“The Broadway Plan includes strong renter protections, based on similar policies in Burnaby - but they haven't been tested yet. There's a lot of fear and uncertainty. It's a good idea to have city staff making sure that the renter protections work as intended, as old low-rise rental buildings are replaced with new rental high-rises.”

Russil Wvong, Vancouver Area Neighbours Association