Jacqueline Perlin
Assistant News Editor
A motion stating concerns with safety and security problems in the Village recommending an investigation of the housing issues in the area has been put forward.
The motion, which was put forth by Councillor Anthony Perruzza of York West (Ward 8), raises issues in the student-dominated residential Village area. It states that problems stem “from the concentrated student population living in housing that is sometimes overcrowded and has a wide range of bylaw-related issues […] some student housing is chronically plagued by garbage, noise, and property standards issues.”
“What’s frustrating for [York administration] is that despite the shuttling and security, a woman was still killed in her home”, says vp students Rob Tiffin, referring to the late Chinese international student Qian ‘Necole’ Liu, who was found dead in her Village basement apartment home in April. “Security and awareness is not enough.”
Tiffin further explained that the university held a Town and Gown meeting with the city, which involved asking Perruzza to put forward a motion which would harmonize the city’s housing bylaws.
“North York doesn’t have the same housing bylaws as the Annex,” says Tiffin, pointing out that the Village holds several houses which have illegally divided rooms to fit more students, resulting in overcrowding and fire regulation violations. “The current North York bylaw doesn’t even have the authorization to send an official inside the house to see the space.”
According to Tiffin, landlords will specifically tell students who is and is not allowed to enter the home. He explains further that landlords make it clear that if the house is found in violation of city regulations, students will not have a place to live.
“So students are really not inclined to let city officials in,” he continues. “And then you get instances where students are given a rent price of $600-$700 with a receipt, or $500 without a receipt.”
Tom Rakocevic, executive assistant to Anthony Perruzza, says a consultation process by Toronto’s Licensing and Standards Committee will be under way in September when students are back at school and can directly speak about concerns surrounding housing issues in the Village — something that the university strongly encourages Village residents to do.
“We know there’s a huge number of students living in a small space,” says Rakocevic, who acknowledged some students are being provided with housing options which don’t adhere to Toronto’s standard requirements.
The consultation process will closely involve York administration, the York Federation of Students (YFS), homeowners, and residents of the Village.
The Licensing and Standards Committee will be meeting in October to discuss the recommendations.
Community Crime Timeline
April 15
23-year-old Qian Liu, a student from China studying at York on a student visa, is murdered in her Village basement apartment home of 27 Aldwinckle Hts. Known as the “webcam murder.”
April 20
Assault and attempted robbery occur at Assiniboine Road residence. No weapons or injuries were reported, and nothing was stolen.
April 27
York student robbed of her cell phone at 3:20 p.m. on the corner of Assiniboine Road and Sentinel Road.
April 29
Assault and attempted robbery occur on the corner of Sentinel Road and Murray Ross Parkway. York student assaulted by four suspects and beaten while suspects attempted a robbery. Victim sustains minor injuries; nothing is stolen.
May 5
Twenty-year-old female student is sexually assaulted twice inside the Seneca@York building around 4 p.m. by a male suspect, who had followed her into the building.
June 2
A non-community member reports being assaulted by a community member at York Lanes at 10:31 p.m. Minor injuries are reported.
June 3
Assault causing bodily harm occurs at Assiniboine Road residence at 9:23 p.m. Suspect is an unknown food delivery person.
June 26
Robbery occurs at Campus Walk near Calumet College. No injuries are reported and no weapons observed.
July 15
Sexual assault occurs in Bethune Residence. Male suspect allegedly made his way into residence and sexually assaulted two female community members, and is apprehended the same day.
July 23
A community member reports being assaulted by an unknown male in the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building. No injuries reported.
July 26
Seneca@York student is the victim of a home invasion and robbery in the Village.
July 28
Assault is reported at a day camp held at Vanier College.
Compiled by Vanessa Del Carpio
