ACORN is calling on residents to sign their petition in support of climate justice for Ottawa renters.
As Ottawa continues to experience more severe weather events, hotter heatwaves, colder winter storms, and worse air quality, low-income community members and renters are at a greater risk. Tenants often have little control over climate resilient or energy efficient home measures and often face improperly heated or cooled homes, old and broken appliances and drafty windows.
By implementing the following measures laid out in ACORN's petition, the City could make tenants' homes more comfortable, safe and affordable, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
- Fund green retrofits in all rental housing. Ensure funding agreements with landlords include affordability and anti-eviction conditions.
- Mandatory Building Performance Standards. Introduce mandatory minimum energy-efficiency standards, similar to the UK.
- Maximum temperature by-law. A maximum heat bylaw would require landlords to ensure units in rental buildings do not reach more than 26 degrees Celsius.
- Program to help pay for energy efficient A/C or heat pumps. Ottawa should follow the lead of other cities like Toronto and Hamilton who provide funding for free air conditioners for low income and other vulnerable renters.
- Track heat-related deaths and illnesses. The City should direct local public health authorities to track heat-related deaths, illnesses and emergency room visits.
