Renters caught in the middle

By Wawmeesh G. Hamilton - Alberni Valley News - January 25, 2008

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Renters are caught in the cross-fire between landlords and trailer owners at the Fall Street trailer court.

The land owners want to rezone it, and build duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes. Their tenants are facing possible eviction.

Under the provincial Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, evicted trailer owners are entitled to 12-month’s notice and one year’s pad rental.

However, some people rent the trailers. Unike owners, they are instead covered by the Residential Tenancy Act, and are only entitled to two months’ notice before eviction, and compensation of one month’s rent.

Noni Hiltunen is one of half a dozen people who rent trailers at the Falls Street trailer court, and she’s worried.

“The dispute doesn’t really involve my family and I, but it affects us,” said the mother of two teens.

She and her family moved to the trailer court nine years ago because of its affordability on a limited income.

The sign announcing the ownership group’s intention to rezone the property looms in front of her rental trailer, and is a constant reminder about the day she has to move, but she doesn’t know where she will go.

She says she’s been looking for another place to live since the dispute started, but has found nothing. According to CMHC statistics, Port Alberni has a zero per cent vacancy rate for three bedroom units, the kind Hiltunen needs. “We’re between a rock and a hard place.”

Hiltunen says she can temporarily stay with family, but fears ending up in a shelter or hotel room.

“I try not to think about it, but depression sets in,” she said.

“I feel for the owners and the tenants caught in this, but I have no idea how it will work out for us.”

reporter@albernivalleynews.com