Told their homes could become condos, these Charlottetown renters are hoping for another option

A number of Charlottetown renters are still living in limbo after they were told their units would be switched to condos and sold, but some are hoping a non-profit group will buy the building instead.

Norray Properties owns the 16 units of row housing called Belvedere Terrace, on Belvedere Avenue near the Atlantic Superstore.

Back in late May, renters received a letter telling them their units would soon be going up for sale as condominium units. The same letter offered them the option to buy their units for $329,000 each, saying they had until June 30 to decide to do that before the suites would be listed for sale.

"This has been my home for well over 36 years and I am happy here," said renter Gene Cross.

She would like to see the building purchased by a non-profit group to keep rents affordable, or see the units turned into a housing co-op, "to be able to stay here with someone who is going to be concerned about our wellbeing, making sure things are kept up."

Housing co‑ops typically provide at-cost housing for their members and are controlled by tenants who have a vote in decisions. Cross said P.E.I. Housing Minister Rob Lantz came by to talk to residents about the idea a few weeks ago.

"Basically it was that the government was introducing, or had introduced, a program to help a non-profit housing corporation buy the units, and if that were the case we'd be able to stay," she said.

Not having heard from Lantz since, Cross is making plans to move out if she has to.

"I have purged a lot, I've sold a lot, I've given away a lot and I've donated a lot. I have boxes in every room except the bathroom and I can't do any more than that. I'm just on hold, basically."

Some of Cross's neighbours have already decided to move to other rental units in the province.

The province confirmed Lantz spoke with residents of Belvedere Terrace on June 21.

"The province did announce a Community Housing Expansion Program to help the non-profit and co-op housing sector create permanently affordable housing solutions for Islanders," said an emailed statement from government officials. "The program aims to support 120 units for acquisition this year, while building a pipeline for new construction and acquisition projects in future years."

The expression of interest on the fund closed on June 17 and groups are now identifying properties they might buy, the email said.

Cory Pater with the P.E.I. Fight for Affordable Housing approves of turning rental complexes into co-ops, but says the government needs to do more work on the concept.

"It's the right type of solution that is being pursued, looking at non-market options, but it's not a complete solution. They are taking a chunk of money and setting it aside, but the burden is being put on these non-profits. They are not investing in the community capacity to run these co-ops," Pater said.

"It would be great if we could pull people together, run workshops, teach people how co-ops run, how to start one and how to keep one running — and then guide them in the direction of these funds."

'A very small step in the right direction'

While Pater is encouraged by the program, he doesn't think 120 units this year will be enough to halt the housing crunch in Charlottetown.

"It's a step in the right direction, but it is a very small step in the right direction. The housing crisis is affecting everyone at this point. Even if you aren't at risk of being unhoused yourself, you probably know someone who is."

When rental units are switched to condos, it causes further issues in the lower end of the accommodations market, Pater said.

"It's a worry because we are going to lose units people otherwise would be able to rent, and there is a significant gap in affordability between a rental and a condominium," he said, since many tenants would not be able to come up with a down payment or qualify for a mortgage.

"Even though rentals are very expensive right now, it's not $300,000."