Hamilton is Home - A Bold Plan to Build 3000 Affordable Housing Units in 3 Years
Dear Neighbour,
Is it just me or is summer flying by?
I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are enjoying the warm weather and reconnecting safely in your circles. There are still plenty of days left to enjoy your favourite patio, a picnic in one of our fabulous parks or ride the newly completed Cannon bike lane.
I know that as August comes to an end many families are trying to map out our back-to-school plans. If you need more information, please contact your Ward 3 Trustees:
HWDSB-Maria Felix Miller, HWCDSB-Tony Perri
In this post you will find updates from Council and information for Ward 3 residents.
For the latest Covid-19 information, please visit the city’s website. As always, please email my office at Ward3@Hamilton.ca if we can be of service.
Yours in community,
A proposal to build 3000 Homes in 3 Years - A Made in Hamilton Solution
My motion to support the bold, Hamilton is Home Housing plan was unanimously ratified by City Council this week.
In February, I invited social service housing providers to bring their assets and unique strengths to a discussion about a vision that could dramatically increase our affordable housing stock and reduce our wait list by working collaboratively.
From there, a coalition of non-profit housing providers in Hamilton formed.
With their expertise and Council’s full endorsement, we are sending a clear message to upper levels of government that Hamilton is serious about delivering a full spectrum of affordable housing solutions and that we are united in our bids for a Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation investment.
This plan will deliver affordable housing that is equitable, accessible and climate friendly. There are 6231 households on the Access to Social Housing waitlist. Rents have gone up 28% in the last 5 yrs. Incomes have not. With this pandemic, income insecurity is that much more prevalent. Developing affordable housing is a strong economic stimulus tool for a just recovery. All Hamiltonians deserve safe, dignified and affordable housing.
My governance model is justice and solutions-oriented. I will continue to work diligently with organizations meeting residents needs at all points of the housing spectrum — from homelessness to shelters, to transitional and permanent housing. Together we have the expertise and the collective will to dramatically reduce homelessness and housing precarity.
Temporary Shelter at the former Cathedral Boys’ School
My office continues to field many questions and comments from residents about the Temporary Shelter which will open at 378 Main St. E in September.
I am so grateful that Ward 3 residents are welcoming, compassionate and ready to roll up our sleeves to support this initiative. I also understand that there are trepidations about safety, stemming from bad experiences and misconceptions about shelter operations.
On August 11th, my office hosted a community information session, with Housing Services at both The City of Hamilton and Good Shepherd, in order to invite tough questions and to present factual information.
In order to make the information available to as many residents as possible, a recording is available here and an FAQ sheet, here.
Should you have further questions after reading and viewing, please consider contacting:
Rob Mastroianni Manager of Emergency Shelter Services & RCF Subsidies at Rob.Mastroianni@Hamilton.ca; or
Katherine Kalinowski, Chief Operating Officer, Good Shepherd Housing Services
kkalinowski@gsch.ca
(905)528-5877 Ext. 3323
430 Cumberland - Investing in the Future
It was such a pleasure to celebrate the opening of a new play structure and half basketball court with residents and staff at City Housing Hamilton's 430 Cumberland Ave building today.
Investments that foster play lead to relationships and a sense of community that can last a lifetime.
Whether it is a friendly game of one-on-one or a chance to shoot hoops and chat, I know first hand the positive impact that an outlet like this in your front yard can have as a teen.
While talking to a mom who works night shifts, I learned that the play structure has already made all the difference in enabling her kids to have outdoor physical play be a part of their everyday.
A senior who lives in this building also shared how lovely it is to look out the window and see kids at play: “Their laughter brings joy to my day”.
This pandemic has shown how important it is to invest in safe, outdoor play that is close to home. And I am proud to have contributed $76K from Ward 3 discretionary funds to the total $124K investment made.
Public Art in support of Essential Workers
Earlier this summer, artists were asked to propose vibrant, positive designs celebrating the contributions of Hamilton’s healthcare workers in these challenging times. Earlier this month, a volunteer jury of healthcare workers, graphic designers and artists reviewed the submissions and have short-listed 20 designs for public input.
Public consultation seeking comments and preferred designs will began today.
Up to 15 designs will be selected by the volunteer jury based on public input and other criteria. Each awarded Artist will receive $650 for the use of their designs. Their work will be installed on graffiti-resistant wraps this fall on select traffic signal boxes at intersections nearest to Hamilton’s Hospitals.
The deadline to comment is Monday, September 7, 2020.
To review proposals and provide input, please click here.
HSR Service Changes
Beginning on Sunday, September 6th, HSR will return to weekday service at summer levels on most routes, with the equivalent of 100% seated capacity. This would mean 30 customers on a 40-foot bus and 50 customers on a 60-foot bus—seated and standing.
The seats nearest to the operator will remain blocked and there is no plan to move the yellow lines.
This change is expected to meet resident needs for increased capacity based on current and projected ridership levels.
For information about schedules and FAQ, please click here.
Engage Hamilton
The City has launched a new website to better involve residents in shaping the development of City projects, policies and initiatives.
We know that new, physically distant engagement tools are more important than ever, through the pandemic. Through this tool, you can register to participate in online public information sessions, ask questions, and share feedback.
In addition, you can help the City’s public engagement staff to better share information and solicit input by taking this survey.