MCK Housing Unit working to reconcile rental arrears

09/15/2023

The Housing Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke would like to inform the community that it has received approval to begin reconciling rental accounts currently in arrears. In the future, all tenants will receive a letter advising of the reconciling actions, but over the next few weeks, the Housing Unit will only be issuing letters to those clients who are currently in arrears to settle the accounts and bring them into good standing.

In 2018, the MCK forgave all rental arrears as it was deemed impossible to determine which clients were victims of mismanagement of funds and which clients were simply in arrears. Since 2018, there have been significant arrears accumulated by multiple Community Housing tenants.

Last June, the Council of Chiefs hosted a Special Community Meeting on Housing, and feedback was collected from that meeting and Housing Unit surveys. Through this feedback, the community has voiced their opinion that tenants in arrears need to be held accountable and abide by their tenancy agreements.

“Since 2018, many tenants have simply refused to pay their rent, and in some cases have ignored all attempts to communicate with the Housing Unit,” said Alan John Rice, Executive Operations Officer. “We understand that the amount in arrears is substantial, and we are more than willing to work out a payment plan for those in arrears to avoid eviction, which will only be considered after all other efforts are exhausted.”

Over the last three and a half years, some of the tenants who are in arrears have decided to pay off the debt by agreeing to a payment plan, and this is the preferred approach for those who have been occupying a rental unit without paying their monthly rent.

“We have a long waiting list for affordable rental units in our community,” Rice added. “The tenants who choose not to meet their financial obligations for Community Housing may be taking a spot from someone who is willing to pay their monthly rent.”

The Housing Unit also offers financial literacy programs for clients to help tenants manage their bills and household expenses and remain financially stable during these difficult economic times.

Those in arrears are being urged to contact the Housing Unit’s Client Experience Team at 450-638-0500.

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