Housing organization calls Neighbourhood Connect’s claims in MDU access dispute “unreasonable”

Bethlehem Housing and Support Services denies claims made by Neighbourhood Connect (NHC) that the affordable housing organization is in violation of the CRTC's multi-dwelling unit (MDU) access condition. On April 2, the housing organization filed its response to a Part 1 application by NHC requesting relief in accessing three MDUs in St. Catharines, Ont. Bethlehem rejected NHC’s claims that it “does not wish to sit at the negotiating table,” arguing that it has “made several efforts to negotiate” and that NHC has made “unreasonable demands” with respect to accessing the premises. Bethlehem “offers supportive transitional housing and permanent affordable housing for men, women and their children with a focus on families who are homeless due to issues with poverty, physical disability, mental health, domestic violence and family breakdown,” explained the organization. It noted that many of its tenants are considered “at risk” and include single mothers, victims of violence, and persons with mental illnesses and addictions. The organization claimed that NHC has refused to consider reasonable access arrangements that would respect tenants’ unique needs and concerns. “NHC's requests have gone far beyond that of merely seeking access to the premises. ln fact, NHC has made multiple ‘demands’ on Bethlehem to obtain access to the individual units in the premises, without any recognition of the tenants' unique circumstances,” said Bethlehem. “lt would be inappropriate to allow access to each unit for the purpose of installing any of its facilities,” said Bethlehem. It noted that NHC did not clarify the kind of access it is seeking in its application to the CRTC, adding that the MDU access condition only covers allowing telecommunications service providers (TSPs) access to a building’s main terminal room (MTR) and the risers connecting the MTR to each unit. Bethlehem added that NHC’s requests for relief, including prohibiting existing TSPs from offering services to new residents and limiting modifications or upgrades to current residents’ services, would significantly disrupt tenants' living arrangements, “all of whom are at risk and vulnerable.” “We respectfully submit that application of a ‘cookie cutter’ remedy based on previous commission findings in unrelated proceedings have no merit or basis in these circumstances,” stated Bethlehem, adding that it “remains amenable to discussing suitable access arrangements with respect to the premises with any TSP.” – Reporting by Phalen Tynes-MacDonald at pcreed@thewirereport.ca

Housing organization calls Neighbourhood Connect’s claims in MDU access dispute “unreasonable”

News | April 4, 2024

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Housing organization calls Neighbourhood Connect’s claims in MDU access dispute “unreasonable”

News | April 4, 2024

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