By: Fred Groves, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter

A non‑profit housing provider is selling off more than 50 affordable housing units, leaving dozens of families facing displacement and uncertainty.
Fifty-three families are losing their homes in Essex.

Earlier this year, Essex Non-Profit Homes announced that they were selling off nearly half of their 120 units.

The reason is to generate revenue to be able to fix the remaining homes, many of which need a lot or repairs.

A tenant‑led advocacy group has launched a fundraiser to help families who are being forced from their homes.

Kim McMullin is the vice-chair of the committee and she is one of the evictees who need to be out by 2028. Others, don’t have that long and some, who were given immediate eviction notices have moved out.

“It was every possible emotion you could imagine,” said McMullin when residents heard that they had to get out. “People were angry, shocked, scared. It was a lot of confusion and everyone was looking for answers.”

And while Essex Non-Profit Homes, which was established in 2012 to replace Bridlewood Co-op, has attempted to secure government funding, several of the homes need well over $150,000 in maintenance.

McMullin and her family moved in in 2019, and now after calling Essex her home for seven years, she and others, are in the search for a new place to live.

“We’ve been told various things through the process but it doesn’t seem like we are getting any answers,” said McMullin.

On June 9th, residents received a letter from Essex Non-Profit Homes that the process of selling off the homes has started and that the focus now is selling off those that are currently vacant.

“We understand that hearing about a potential sale may cause concern, so we want to reassure residents that there are no immediate changes to your living situation as a result of this process,” wrote Jessica Beaumont, Co-ordinator for Essex Non-Profit Homes Inc.

Hailey Bastien is a single mother with four children and two dogs. She has been told that her home will be sold by 2028.

“There is a severe limit of (affordable housing). There are 1,000 on the list each year and last year only about 30 got in so it’s not looking good,” said Bastien.

With a university education, she has a part-time job and relies on living in affordable housing. What the future holds for her and her family is unknown.

“They are scared but I think they have faith in me, so we will see.”

A flyer distributed to those who stopped by the fundraiser in June noted that affordable housing is a human issue and the residents believe compassion, accountability and basic human kindness must be brought back into making the decisions.

And so what will happen to the families in Essex when they shut the door of their home behind them the final time?

“There is a good chance they will end up in shelters or living in tents. For those who want to stay in their community, there are no options,” said McMullin.