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CTV News
15-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘We're seeing desperation': Tenant advocates brace for housing crisis around moving day
With moving day approaching, community organizations say rising rents, renovictions, and a lack of affordable housing are pushing more people to the brink. With July 1 just weeks away, some housing advocates are sounding the alarm over what they call a deepening crisis. Community groups like Project Genesis say they're already overwhelmed by the number of people unable to find a place to live, many of them at risk of homelessness. Rising rents, renovictions, and limited access to affordable housing are pushing vulnerable tenants to the brink. 'We're seeing desperation,' said Margaret van Nooten, a social rights worker at Project Genesis. 'People are afraid to move, but others have no choice — and many just can't find anywhere to go.' A 72-year-old Montreal man says he may be forced to sleep outdoors in the coming days. Richard Duncan has been renting a room in a Verdun apartment for six years. But when the building was sold, his name wasn't on the lease, and his roommate accepted a buyout from the landlord. Duncan, who is retired and on a fixed income, was left with nothing. 'I was given three months' notice,' he said. 'The new owner paid people to leave. [The leaseholder] took the money, and now I'm stuck.' His search for new housing has been difficult —and with no cellphone or internet, Duncan says even accessing listings is a struggle. 'I have to do everything myself and I don't have the needed resources,' he said. 'It's been a stressful three months.' Duncan's situation is far from unique, according to van Nooten, who says her office has seen an increase in people unable to secure housing — even those with jobs or stable incomes. 'The housing situation overall — it's terrible. It's been a really difficult year for tenants,' she said. 'We're seeing people getting hit with massive rent increases — five, even 10 per cent in some cases and people just can't keep up.' Project Genesis has cautioned renters not to break their lease unless they've already secured another apartment. But some, like Duncan, are being forced out — either through repossessions, renovictions, or pressure tactics. 'We're seeing landlords managing to get long-term tenants out — sometimes by offering a few thousand dollars to leave, sometimes by threatening renovations that may or may not happen,' she said. 'They know they can double or triple the rent if they turn the unit over.' Those unable to find housing in time are increasingly doubling up with family or strangers. 'We see three generations in one apartment, people living in overcrowded, sometimes unsafe conditions,' explained van Nooten. 'Rooms being carved out of living rooms. It's not sustainable.' In Montreal's overheated market, she said even being able to pay doesn't guarantee an apartment. 'There are bidding wars — people get to a showing and find someone else offering the landlord more than the asking price,' said van Nooten. Credit checks, references, and online-only listings present additional barriers — particularly for people without access to internet, phones, or email. 'And the city's platform to search for housing still requires internet access, a certain level of digital know-how and assumes literacy," she added. 'If you're a single person on welfare and your cheque is around $800, you likely can't afford a phone plan or home internet.' Discrimination is another factor, she said, with families, racialized tenants, and those with disabilities often passed over. 'I had a woman with an autistic daughter who was repeatedly rejected for housing — the landlord just didn't want a child with special needs.' The Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal's (OMHM), the city's municipal housing office, has already received more than 600 requests for help this year. The annual average is just over 900. Duncan is hoping his application will be among those accepted. 'I'm just looking for somewhere to lay my head down at night and not worry,' he said. 'If I don't find it, I'll end up sleeping in a park very soon.' In a statement to CTV News, Loyola district councillor Despina Sourias, who serves as a special advisor on housing at Montreal's executive committee, said the administration is aware this moving season will be particularly difficult. 'That's why our administration is continuing to invest more resources to support vulnerable households,' she said. 'We've doubled the budget dedicated to relocation support and created a new $1.5 million envelope over three years to strengthen housing committees and tenant associations — essential allies in protecting renters.' Sourias added that the city is working actively with partners to ensure no one is left behind. 'We want every household to know they're not alone and that there are real resources available to help them through this.' But van Nooten said housing groups are already overwhelmed. 'Staff are exhausted. We're hearing from organizations across the city that they've had to shorten their [opening] hours and still can't keep up with the number of requests,' she said, calling it a cry for help. She said what's needed most is more social housing — and fast. 'The private market is ruled by greed. It's not meeting this most basic need,' she added. 'We need more subsidized units, more practical help for people trying to find housing, and better protections for tenants.' For now, Duncan continues to wait — without a safety net.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Comcast (NasdaqGS:CMCSA) Extends Partnership With USA Gymnastics Through LA 2028 Olympic Games
Comcast saw its stock price rise by 4% over the last month, amidst several significant developments. A key factor was the continuation of their partnership with USA Gymnastics, extending the Xfinity brand's role as the official provider through 2028, supporting the national teams for the LA 2028 Olympic Games, and sponsoring the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Meanwhile, the broader market faced turbulent conditions, with concerns over rising inflation and weakening consumer sentiment. Despite the downward pressure on major indices, notable sector moves and strategic announcements from Comcast helped bolster investor confidence amidst an otherwise challenging market environment. You should learn about the 2 risks we've spotted with Comcast (including 1 which is concerning). Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. Comcast's shares delivered a total return of 22.82% over the five years, reflecting a period of consistent growth supported by various business strategies and innovations. During this time, Comcast implemented a bundling strategy, bolstering convergence revenue through enhanced broadband offerings and strategic investments like Project Genesis, which improved their broadband network capability. Noteworthy is the company's commitment to diversifying its revenue streams through acquisitions and theme park investments, contributing to its overall growth trajectory. Despite the rising challenges in the media industry, Comcast underperformed the sector over the last year compared to its five-year journey. However, financial decisions such as dividend increases and a robust share buyback program amplified shareholder value. The January 2025 dividend was increased by 6.5% to US$1.32 per share, and the buyback authorization was expanded to US$15 billion. These moves, along with the launch of innovative products like the Tri-Band WiFi 6E Gateway and regional business expansions in Florida and Georgia, have strengthened its market position. Take a closer look at Comcast's potential here in our financial health report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqGS:CMCSA. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus organization seeks to save historic Spaghetti Warehouse trolley from demolition
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A local organization is making a last-minute push to save the trolley inside the former Spaghetti Warehouse building before it is demolished. Rickenbacker Woods Foundation has been working on plans to relocate the trolley from the doomed building at 397 W. Broad St. in Franklinton to a site where it will be featured in an exhibit honoring African American inventor Granville T. Woods. Executive Director Michael Aaron said that since the building, which suffered a partial roof collapse in 2022, cannot be saved that rescuing the trolley that it was the restaurant's centerpiece is the next best thing. RWF wants to preserve the trolley to 'provide a dynamic educational platform to celebrate Woods' inventions and their impact on modern technology.' With demolition approaching, Aaron is concerned that time is running out. He stressed the urgency of taking action before it is too late, noting that the streetcar has been a key part of memories for patrons of the beloved restaurant, representing the 'joy of food and happy times.' Aaron said the foundation has had discussions with Spaghetti Warehouse and the original rigging company that installed the trolley. Plans began early last year, but recent developments have raised concerns about their feasibility. RWF has secured $500,000 of federal funding through the city, in the form of a Community Development Block Grant, to build a park that would house the trolley, creating an educational space highlighting Woods' contributions to transportation and communication technology. 'We are submitting our proposal which is Project Genesis, which is the new start to the Rickenbacker Woods Foundation's education initiatives,' Aaron told Columbus City Council at the time. 'We've asked the City of Columbus and the federal government to fund a new park on Columbus' South Side. Where this park will go is replacing an alley. It's replacing a scary-looking part of the neighborhood with beauty.' The building is owned by the Robert Weiler Company, which acknowledged the foundation's interest in the trolley car, as well as from other groups. But the larger concern remains the building's instability. The RWF group is also seeking help from other preservation advocates and local leaders. Pointing to the financial and logistical challenges of moving and restoring the trolley, it is looking for support from those with resources and expertise. The organization said potential tax incentives and financial benefits could be available. The Spaghetti Warehouse opened a new location in Downtown Columbus after the closing of the Franklinton restaurant, which had many of its antiques used for decor auctioned off in 2023. A video about plans for the original Spaghetti Warehouse site is available in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
