Esquimalt renters are standing their ground against the threat of demolition, vowing to fight for their homes and community.
The residents of the 50-year-old rental complex on Admirals Road received a notice from the property owner, Realstar Management, stating that the buildings will be demolished to make way for a new development. This news has left many tenants feeling uncertain and anxious about their future.
“I think we can stop them,” said tenant and community organizer, Sarah Smith. “We are not going to let them just come in and bulldoze our homes without a fight.”
Smith and other tenants have formed a group called “Save Our Homes” to rally against the demolition. They have started a petition and are planning to hold a protest in front of the property.
“We have been living here for years, some of us even decades,” said Smith. “This is our home and we have built a strong community here. We are not going to let that be taken away from us.”
The tenants are also concerned about the lack of affordable housing options in the area. With the current rental market in Esquimalt already tight, they fear that they will not be able to find another place to live if they are forced to leave.
“We are not just fighting for ourselves, but for all the renters in this community,” said Smith. “We need to send a message to developers that they cannot just come in and tear down affordable housing without considering the impact on the people who live here.”
Realstar Management has not yet responded to requests for comment, but according to the notice given to tenants, the company plans to submit a rezoning application to the municipality in the coming months.
In the meantime, the tenants of the rental complex are determined to do everything in their power to stop the demolition and protect their homes.
“We are not going to back down,” said Smith. “We will continue to fight until we get the answers and solutions we deserve.”
