ACORN members bring fair housing fight to Burlington

ACORN Canada's Hamilton chapter brought the fight for fair housing and rents to Burlington today (Aug. 1).

About 45 members of ACORN - Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - delivered their message in front of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Inside the building, a day-long "Business Results Training" seminar was taking place, hosted by a local realtor. The demonstration included placards and banners, while some of the participants shouted at attendees coming out of the Locust Street building for a break.

Among the protesters was Hamilton resident David Galvin, who has lived without water for three months at his 1083 Main St. E. apartment in Hamilton. The loss of water, he said, was due to the landlord smashing a hole in the wall.

According to their website, ACORN Canada is a multi-issue, membership-based community union of low- and moderate-income people who "fight landlords and corporations through direct action" and advocate for improved laws to protect their rights.

The Hamilton chapter has been a vocal opponent of practices such as neighbourhood gentrification, forced renovictions/demovictions, and has advocated on issues such as proper maintenance for rental properties, and landlord-provided air-conditioning.