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.