Slumtown

EPISODE 4 - The Fighters

Slumtown

Show Notes

Frustrated by a lack of action from authorities, residents take the fight against problem properties into their own hands — buying lots with their retirement savings to push bad landlords out and bring families in.

This episode has been updated to more accurately reflect court decisions surrounding Alberta Health Services and some inner-city properties in Edmonton. Clarifying the home "Donna" lived in was ordered to undergo repairs by health authorities.

More from Slumtown

Aug 24, 2022

With the murder of controversial landlord Abdullah Shah, Edmonton’s inner city residents are left wondering what’s next for their community. Will governments step up to deal with problem properties and the people who benefit off of them? Or will more problem landlords step in to fill the gap left by Shah (aka Carmen Pervez)?

Aug 17, 2022

3 years after the first five episodes of Slumtown, notorious landlord Abdullah Shah is shot to death on his own driveway. Host Elizabeth Hames looks at who wanted him dead and why.

Jul 8, 2019

People living in Edmonton’s inner-city communities are clashing with problem properties — needles on their lawns, people overdosing in their yards, fights in the alleys. Residents fear for their safety and calls to authorities seem to fall on deaf ears.

Jul 8, 2019

Host Elizabeth Hames investigates who owns the city’s problem properties … and finds there are dozens of them linked to one person. Meet the man who’s so powerful, neighbours are afraid to say his name out loud

Jul 8, 2019

Why would anyone live in a house condemned by health authorities, plagued by vermin and mould and where crime and drug use is prolific? For some, it’s their only option. Go inside the houses and meet the people who live — and sometimes die — in places like these.

See all episodes →