Possible sale of Dartmouth housing complex leaves hundreds of residents worried

An apartment complex in Dartmouth, N.S., is for sale, sparking concerns among residents that hundreds of people could soon lose their homes if the new owners decide to increase rent or tear the whole thing down. 

Ocean Breeze is a mix of about 400 townhouse-style apartments nestled into woods near the MacKay Bridge.

The units each have three or four bedrooms, putting the total population at around 1,000 people. Tenants say rents range from around $875 to $1,400. 

It was built in 1963 and has since been owned by Dartmouth Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the Ontario-based Elia Corporation.

But that company has listed the 12-hectare property for sale. It was assessed at nearly $23.8 million this year. 

CEO Vince Burns declined to comment when contacted by CBC. CBRE, the real-estate firm selling it as an "an exceptional urban multifamily development opportunity with existing holding income," also declined to speak to CBC. 

The listing and an accompanying brochure do not include an asking price. The listing says existing municipal zoning would allow for a 3.2-million-square-foot redevelopment.

Celine Porcheron moved from Montreal to Ocean Breeze four years ago. She soon fell in love with the actual ocean breeze drifting in from Halifax harbour and through the trees that are home to a small herd of deer. 

"I just love this community. It's very welcoming, it's quiet. And we're a little stressed out about what's happening," she told CBC News Tuesday. 

Porcheron said some residents have lived there for decades, others are new immigrants to Canada, and the community is a mix of families, adults and seniors.

"That's a lot of people to displace without a plan, without talking to us," she said. "I understand the sale is going to happen, but we need to be a part of that process."

She's been in touch with ACORN, an independent organization that advocates for people of low to moderate income, and Dalhousie Legal Aid to see what options they have. She hasn't been able to reach the owners. 

"Best-case scenario? It would be great if someone bought it and renovated these very old structures and continue the community," she said. 

The worst case would be a quick sale, followed by a new owner increasing rents, or simply ending tenancies so the site can be redeveloped into something like condos.