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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ontario's proposed landlord drug liability law rattles supportive housing providers
The first time Fay Martin read up on the details of a proposed act to make landlords responsible for preventing drug activities in their units in Ontario, she says her hair stood on end. As a founder and board member of Places for People, which rents out 20 affordable units in Haliburton Highlands, Ont., she says the legislation — which threatens landlords with fines or jail time if their properties are used for producing or trafficking drugs — conflicts with both the goals of her charity and possibly with its ability to survive long-term . "It's going to be a total disincentive to housing the people that most need housing, and that the community needs to have housed," she said. Martin said that's because it could discourage supportive housing providers from "taking a chance" on tenants who need a home but who may be dealing with addictions. The act, which has received royal assent but has not yet been proclaimed into law, is a sub-section of Bill 10 — a multi-part piece of legislation broadly focused on public safety by making changes to areas like bail, courts and policing. In the act, the government also says landlords will be able to legally defend themselves by taking "reasonable measures" to "prevent the [drug] activity." With no clarity on what those measures could be, housing providers like Martin are anxiously waiting to learn more about what their new responsibilities will be — and how much they will cost. Fines could reach up to $250,000 on the first conviction, something Martin says would "kill us." Her charity receives no additional funding from the government and relies on donations to subsidize its units, she says. Jennifer Van Gennip, who works for supportive housing provider Redwood Park Communities in Simcoe County, Ont., is also worried, explaining that she's already seeing a "chilling effect in the sector around providing housing for people who use drugs" as a result of the proposed act. "We're hearing about other supportive housing providers who are trying to get out ahead of it ... and evicting residents who use drugs," said Van Gennip, who is also a co-chair of the Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness. What she wants is more information on who is being targeted under the act, with the hope that there is a "very clear" distinction between people who use drugs or do what she calls "survival dealing" — where people sell a small amount of drugs, to finance their own habits or pay for food or rent — and larger-scale trafficking and drug production. 'Some form of guidance is really needed here' Toronto-based lawyer John Fox , who specializes in law pertaining to affordable housing, says the legislation was written in a "fairly vague way." "Some form of guidance is really needed here," said Fox, explaining that he expects more information from the province clarifying things before it comes into force. Among the key questions now being discussed by landlords, whether non-profit, for-profit or commercial, is what the government means when it says that landlords can legally defend themselves by taking "reasonable measures" to stop drug activity. "People wonder whether that means more CCTV monitoring," said Fox. "Could it mean that in a lease that you should now include monthly inspections of the premises because you want to make sure that none of this is happening?" Then there are uncertainties more specific to non-profit housing, says Fox, including how much liability will fall to a non-profit's board of directors, who are volunteers, and whether there will be any financial help for them to pay for whatever "reasonable measures" they are eventually expected to take. Should supportive housing be excluded? CBC Toronto asked the Ministry of the Solicitor General about its timelines for putting the act into force and publishing more detailed regulations, but did not hear back by deadline. Fox says the province is currently being urged by advocates to consider whether supportive housing should be excluded altogether from the act —something the province also did not confirm. "[Supportive housing providers] are looking to be exempt from this act on account of the fact that their activities are directly related to reducing this kind of [drug] activity," he said. "This is not a risk that is fair for them to take on." If that campaign is successful, Fox continued, it raises yet another wrinkle: how to distinguish between non-profit housing, which doesn't generate profits for owners and sometimes offers non-market rent, and supportive housing, which typically offers non-market rent and tenant support. "That line will not be an easy one to draw," he said. Wait for 'clarity' continues The hope now in the non-profit sector is for more consultations with the province, says Marlene Coffey, CEO of the Ontario Non-profit Housing Association. "What we would expect is that as regulations are developed, we will work with the government in consultation and then there will be more clarity," she said. Her association has also submitted a list of recommendations to the province, including requests for more funding and clarity on personal liability rules. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is asking for consultation as well, submitting in a letter to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in June that it is concerned about "unintended consequences… undue burdens… and risks to municipal landlords." The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, meanwhile, is preparing presentations for front-line staff on how to "mitigate the negative impacts on Ontarians" of both this act and Bill 6, which gives new powers to municipalities to remove homeless people from public spaces. "The practical impact of both Bills is that Ontarians will lose their housing and be pushed into greater precarity," the centre wrote in submissions sent this spring to Attorney General Doug Downey.
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
Ontario's proposed landlord drug liability law rattles supportive housing providers
Social Sharing The first time Fay Martin read up on the details of a proposed act to make landlords responsible for preventing drug activities in their units in Ontario, she says her hair stood on end. As a founder and board member of Places for People, which rents out 20 affordable units in Haliburton Highlands, Ont., she says the legislation — which threatens landlords with fines or jail time if their properties are used for producing or trafficking drugs — conflicts with both the goals of her charity and possibly with its ability to survive long-term . "It's going to be a total disincentive to housing the people that most need housing, and that the community needs to have housed," she said. Martin said that's because it could discourage supportive housing providers from "taking a chance" on tenants who need a home but who may be dealing with addictions. The act, which has received royal assent but has not yet been proclaimed into law, is a sub-section of Bill 10 — a multi-part piece of legislation broadly focused on public safety by making changes to areas like bail, courts and policing. In the act, the government also says landlords will be able to legally defend themselves by taking "reasonable measures" to "prevent the [drug] activity." With no clarity on what those measures could be, housing providers like Martin are anxiously waiting to learn more about what their new responsibilities will be — and how much they will cost. Fines could reach up to $250,000 on the first conviction, something Martin says would "kill us." Her charity receives no additional funding from the government and relies on donations to subsidize its units, she says. Jennifer Van Gennip, who works for supportive housing provider Redwood Park Communities in Simcoe County, Ont., is also worried, explaining that she's already seeing a "chilling effect in the sector around providing housing for people who use drugs" as a result of the proposed act. "We're hearing about other supportive housing providers who are trying to get out ahead of it ... and evicting residents who use drugs," said Van Gennip, who is also a co-chair of the Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness. What she wants is more information on who is being targeted under the act, with the hope that there is a "very clear" distinction between people who use drugs or do what she calls "survival dealing" — where people sell a small amount of drugs, to finance their own habits or pay for food or rent — and larger-scale trafficking and drug production. 'Some form of guidance is really needed here' Toronto-based lawyer John Fox , who specializes in law pertaining to affordable housing, says the legislation was written in a "fairly vague way." "Some form of guidance is really needed here," said Fox, explaining that he expects more information from the province clarifying things before it comes into force. Among the key questions now being discussed by landlords, whether non-profit, for-profit or commercial, is what the government means when it says that landlords can legally defend themselves by taking "reasonable measures" to stop drug activity. A look at Toronto's newest supportive housing initiative for unhoused people 10 months ago "People wonder whether that means more CCTV monitoring," said Fox. "Could it mean that in a lease that you should now include monthly inspections of the premises because you want to make sure that none of this is happening?" Then there are uncertainties more specific to non-profit housing, says Fox, including how much liability will fall to a non-profit's board of directors, who are volunteers, and whether there will be any financial help for them to pay for whatever "reasonable measures" they are eventually expected to take. Should supportive housing be excluded? CBC Toronto asked the Ministry of the Solicitor General about its timelines for putting the act into force and publishing more detailed regulations, but did not hear back by deadline. Fox says the province is currently being urged by advocates to consider whether supportive housing should be excluded altogether from the act —something the province also did not confirm. "[Supportive housing providers] are looking to be exempt from this act on account of the fact that their activities are directly related to reducing this kind of [drug] activity," he said. "This is not a risk that is fair for them to take on." If that campaign is successful, Fox continued, it raises yet another wrinkle: how to distinguish between non-profit housing, which doesn't generate profits for owners and sometimes offers non-market rent, and supportive housing, which typically offers non-market rent and tenant support. "That line will not be an easy one to draw," he said. Wait for 'clarity' continues The hope now in the non-profit sector is for more consultations with the province, says Marlene Coffey, CEO of the Ontario Non-profit Housing Association. "What we would expect is that as regulations are developed, we will work with the government in consultation and then there will be more clarity," she said. Her association has also submitted a list of recommendations to the province, including requests for more funding and clarity on personal liability rules. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is asking for consultation as well, submitting in a letter to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in June that it is concerned about " unintended consequences… undue burdens… and risks to municipal landlords." The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, meanwhile, is preparing presentations for front-line staff on how to "mitigate the negative impacts on Ontarians" of both this act and Bill 6, which gives new powers to municipalities to remove homeless people from public spaces. "The practical impact of both Bills is that Ontarians will lose their housing and be pushed into greater precarity," the centre wrote in submissions sent this spring to Attorney General Doug Downey.
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Places For People supports The Ridge in creating new facilities for Dunbar - and giving young people employability skills
Places for People, the UK's leading social enterprise dedicated to building thriving communities and transforming lives, has joined forces with Dunbar-based charity The Ridge to deliver a groundbreaking project aimed at empowering local residents and tackling social challenges. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In a landmark collaboration, Places for People is leveraging its supply chain to support the completion of new facilities at Black Bull Close in Dunbar. This ambitious development will revitalise historic buildings to house a state-of-the-art support centre, including a training kitchen, office spaces, multipurpose rooms, and the surrounding Backlands community garden. These facilities will expand The Ridge's ability to provide essential services and skills training to the local community. Trainees, apprentices, and local secondary school pupils will benefit directly from the project, gaining valuable experience in trades such as stonemasonry and joinery – skills critical for preserving Scotland's heritage buildings and addressing housing sector demands. Additionally, the Backlands garden will continue to serve as a hub for training, sustainability, and wellbeing, offering gardening opportunities to trainees, volunteers, and individuals supported by The Ridge's various programmes. The garden includes a kitchen garden, where produce is used for cookery classes or sold back to the Community. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Through its supply chain, Places for People has provided practical support to bring this vision to life. Among them are Novus Property Solutions who through their charitable partnership with Places for People provided over £40,000 of materials and skills across multiple disciplines. Elsewhere, Cablecom supplied free-of-charge luminaires valued at £3,258.00 – a donation that came thanks to collaborations with Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors Ltd and other manufacturers. The Ridge Marcus Hulme, Places Impact Director at Places for People, commented: 'At Places for People, our mission goes far beyond building houses – it's about creating opportunities, enriching lives, and fostering thriving communities. 'We are truly honoured to collaborate with The Ridge and our exceptional supply chain on this transformative project. Together, we are supporting their inspiring mission to make a lasting impact on people and places, offering critical lifelines to those who need them most. We are proud to champion their vision for the new support centre, which will undoubtedly bring enduring benefits to Dunbar and its surrounding areas.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Ridge, founded in 2012, works to support disadvantaged individuals across Dunbar and East Linton by equipping them with skills, qualifications, and work experience while providing holistic support such as housing advice, debt counselling, mental health services, and employability training. The charity has grown significantly in recent years, now encompassing The Ridge SCIO and its social enterprise subsidiary, The Ridge Foundations CIC. The Ridge Katie Wood, Managing Director of the organisation added: 'We are deeply grateful to Places for People for their invaluable support in helping us expand our services. We're dedicated to delivering solutions for the community, within the community – whether that's through skills training, work experience, or holistic support for individuals facing complex challenges. 'The redevelopment of Black Bull Close marks a significant milestone in our journey, enabling us to offer even more tailored services and opportunities. Having a partner like Places for People, who share our values and vision, is truly inspiring.' The Ridge's work encompasses a wide range of initiatives aimed at helping individuals build sustainable futures, from supporting those impacted by the criminal justice system to providing budget-friendly cooking courses, food and clothing banks, and tailored advice in collaboration with statutory agencies and local groups. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Clare Donnelly, Executive Assistant at PfP, Ciara Toland, Head of Communities at PfP, Nikki Hogg, Community Housing Manager at PfP, Kelly Brown, Director of Places for People Scotland, Casper, Joiner for The Ridge, Aidan, trainee stonemason for The Ridge and Katie Wood, Managing Director of The Ridge.
Scotsman
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Edinburgh gym reopens on Leith Walk after closing its doors two years ago
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now An Edinburgh gym will reopen on Leith Walk today after being closed for more than two years. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Places Leisure Edinburgh is located at Engine Yard, Leith Walk, Edinburgh | Places Leisure Edinburgh Places Leisure Edinburgh features brand new equipment, 70 stations, a range of cardiovascular and resistance machines and a large free weights area. The new gym is part of Places for People's award-winning regeneration project, the Engine Yard, located near Shrubhill Walk. The gym, previously known as Places Gym, closed in March 2023 due to 'escalating energy prices.' But now, 14 months on, the gym has been refurbished and 'equipped with the latest technology'. Places Leisure Edinburgh will also offer group classes, personal training, Les Mills virtual studio sessions, and features a EGYM Fitness Hub, allowing members to follow workout programmes based on their own body and goals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Memberships will include unlimited access to the gym as well as group fitness and health sessions held throughout the week which will are bookable up to 15 days in advance. Through the Places Leisure app, members can access their membership card, make and manage bookings, and access virtual sessions | Places Leisure Edinburgh Nicola McMaster, general manager at Places Leisure, said: 'We are thrilled to be opening our doors to Places Leisure Edinburgh today and look forward to welcoming members of the community to our brand-new modern gym. 'Equipped with the latest technology and helpful staff onsite, members can experience a high-energy and supportive environment where they can follow workouts based on their bodies and individual fitness goals, whatever they may be. 'Being a part of Places for People, we understand the importance of bringing leisure facilities into the heart of communities and making physical activity more accessible. We look forward to the positive impact Places Leisure Edinburgh will bring to the area.' Places Leisure Edinburgh on Leith Walk will be open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays and between 8am to 6m on weekends.
Edinburgh Live
28-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh masterplan to see 160 affordable homes delivered by Place for People
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Places for People has announced it will deliver 160 "high quality affordable homes" on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Land at Beat Street East has been acquired by the social enterprise in what will form part of the wider Edinburgh Park masterplan and deliver a mix of social rent and mid-market rent properties. The masterplan will also see 1,000,000 of office space, over 1,000 build to rent and mid market rental units, a hotel and food and drink offerings built on the outskirts of the city. Places for People's 160 homes will benefit from the popular tram link all the way to the city centre and Newhaven. The acquisition builds on PFP's ongoing investment in Edinburgh, which includes the delivery of 377 new homes at The Engine Yard as well as the developer's planned 1,300 homes at Redheughs Village. This activity highlights PFP's ongoing commitment to support the city's efforts to address housing needs with "high-quality, affordable new homes." In addition to new housing, the Beat Street East project will also include landscaping, green courtyards and accessible housing, enhancing biodiversity and quality of life for future residents. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Colin Jack, Regional Managing Director for Scotland at Places for People Developments, said : 'Beat Street East is a vital addition to our growing portfolio of developments in Edinburgh. We are committed to tackling the city's housing needs and delivering well-designed, affordable homes in thriving, connected neighbourhoods. "As a social enterprise, we reinvest our profits to create long-term value for communities, and we are already making a tangible impact in Edinburgh through our community hub, tool library, and the regeneration of local housing stock.' The Beat Street East project will be delivered in partnership with Parabola, the landowner and master planner behind Edinburgh Park, and the City of Edinburgh Council. The land has planning permission in place and PfP expect work to start on site in August 2025. Tony Hordon, Managing Director at Parabola comments : 'We are pleased to be working in partnership with Places for People to deliver much-needed affordable housing at Edinburgh Park. The Beat Street East site forms an integral part of the wider vision for a connected, inclusive and sustainable new district for Edinburgh. "Ensuring that high-quality affordable homes are embedded within the masterplan is central to our ambition to create a vibrant and balanced community. We look forward to seeing this next phase of the development take shape.'
