Rental Protection Policy, Affordable Housing, CHH New Housing Units & More
Dear Neighbours,
First off, I want to wish a heart-filled congratulations to all graduates from #OurWard3. Whether you have completed elementary, highschool or post-secondary, it is always a pleasure to celebrate your hard work and achievements.
Dare to dream big, always seek joy, and may your future unfold with a deep sense of worthiness as you strive towards your goals with your very best efforts 🎓💐🏅🏆. And a big thank you to all the educators and school staff for supporting our kiddos!
Reminder that there are many free #CanadaDay celebrations happening across the city this weekend and on Monday. Food trucks, live entertainment and a fireworks finale at 10pm has been planned by the City’s Tourism team at Bayfront Park. Also in #OurWard3, It’s Your Festival has kicked off and will take over Gage Park for the longest running and largest multicultural celebration of Canada Day in Ontario. I’ll be emceeing the official Canada Day Ceremony at the Bandshell at 12:50pm after the Citizenship Ceremony. Pop by for some cake and to say hi!
The Ward 3 Office will be closed until Tuesday July 2. For a summary of city services impacted by the long weekend, please see the City Services update below. Also, a reminder that in the summer, our e-newsletter schedule goes down to one a month to coincide with summer Council meeting schedule.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Photo of Hamilton City Hall in summer with florals. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Council & Committee Updates".
RENTAL PROTECTION POLICY
In an effort to address the affordable housing crisis, Council has approved a multi-prong housing strategy that includes preserving the existing rental stock. The new rental protection policy addresses the loss of housing through demolition and conversion to condos.
Council ratified this new policy on Wednesday thanks to the tireless advocacy and collaboration by Hamilton ACORN members and current tenants.
Under the new permit system, before rental buildings of six units or more meet the wrecking ball, the city can require owners to set up plans to secure similar places for tenants to live.
Other hallmark measures include a requirement to replace demolished units and provide “gap payments” to cover higher rent while tenants wait to return to new buildings at previous rates.
The rental-replacement bylaw, on track for implementation starting January 2025, also includes provisions to protect tenants caught up in condo conversions as the city aims to maintain Hamilton’s affordable market housing stock.
Councillor Alex Wilson, Ward 13 and I successfully amended the policy at Council to ensure exemptions and definitions aligned across different city policies and to see better calculations for rental rates. Here is the report from last week’s Planning Committee for more details on this latest measure to protect our neighbours who rent.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEW PROJECT STREAM = +230 NEW UNITS IN WARD 3
The Housing Secretariat reported on the first set of successful applications for Hamilton’s new Affordable Housing Project Stream. The intent of the Project Stream is to organize new affordable housing construction projects on an annual basis to meet the objectives set out in the Housing Sustainability & Investment Roadmap, the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, and Council Priorities. These projects apply for municipal funding and cost sharing in the effort to secure provincial and federal funds. We have allocated $23 Million annually to assist housing providers in building new affordable housing across our city.
In total, 26 applications were submitted. 12 were successful. Of the successful supportive housing projects coming forward, 6 will be in Ward 3. The City’s Housing Secretariat will meet with the successful proponents to finalize agreements and letters of intent before more details can be released. What I can share is that this will enable an estimated 230 new affordable housing units to be built by Hamilton Is Home coalition partners in different neighbourhoods in our ward. This is on top of the 183 new units I have supported since 2018 which are already built and occupied by our Ward 3 neighbours.
Once the agreements have been finalized, my office will work with the Housing Secretariat for an open house style community meeting to overview each site and project scope to ensure residents are well informed of the affordable housing solutions we are working to deliver. Once the date is confirmed, we will circulate information via this e-newsletter and on social media.
CHH NEW HOUSING UNITS UPDATE = 161 NEW UNITS IN WARDS 2 & 4
At the City Housing Hamilton board meeting this week, we received an update on our new housing projects currently in development. There are four projects with a total of 161 units with expected occupancy beginning as early as this summer through to November 2025.
At 257 King William, City Housing Hamilton will open 24 supportive housing units in partnership with Indwell who will be providing the wraparound services for tenants who will be housed directly from the City’s By Name List where residents who are experiencing homelessness have been identified through various outreach and housing services.
The building at 106 Bay St. N., which contains 55 mixed units, is slated to open October this year for residents on the City’s Access To Housing List and for internal transfers from other CHH units where neighbours may be under or over housed.
Forty mixed-sized units at 55 Queenston are projected to be open in March 2025 with an additional 42 units at 1620 Main St. E, right next door, to be completed and occupied in November next year. The tenants here will also be referred from the City’s Access To Housing List and for internal transfers from other CHH units where neighbours may be under or over housed.
As President of CHH, I want to thank our incredible staff team who work innovatively and tirelessly. Their dedication has enabled nimble work as soon as the financing for these projects was secured. The board and staff continue progress on our strategic plan to level up our organization and cultivate homes and belonging full of pride that all Hamiltonians can celebrate.
MANAGING ENCAMPMENTS
Let me start off with acknowledging again, no one wants to see tents in City parks and not one member of Council believes encampments are a solution to the compounding crises we are facing as a city.
As reported in the last e-newsletter and on my social media platforms, Council has approved changes to better manage the reality of encampments across the city in the Encampment Protocol.
Key to this strategy is increasing the number of shelter beds available and reducing barriers to access them, in order to enable more residents currently lying encamped to opt into shelter services. Right now, we have 365 temporary and permanent beds, plus 208 hotel overflows. The recent report endorsed by Council on Wednesday enables 275 additional beds:
110 men
55 women & non-binary
55 couples = 110 people
Twenty-five percent of the 275 beds will be pet friendly to help reduce barriers that currently prevent residents living encamped from accessing shelters instead.
In addition to increasing shelter capacity, more outreach services have also been allocated to connect directly with all residents living encamped. This is essential for connecting folks to the services they need most. For details on the changes to the protocol, please review this report.
Additional amendments tabled by Councillor Danko to help address concerns that all of Council has been receiving to the protocol will be reported in August. These include:
(i) Private Property Line minimum distance increase from 10m to 25m
(ii) Construction Site minimum distance increase from 25m to 100m
(iii) Funeral Home minimum distance change from classification of Funeral Home to Active Business
(iv) Pathways minimum distance increase from 5m to 50m
(v) Heritage Designation distance increase from 5m to 50m and add monuments & memorials to the classification.
Enforcement remains an area residents want to see change and with a report back on further measures coming in August, I remain hopeful we will improve the situation for us all. We need those residents lying encamped to abide by the protocol in order for any of this to work.
I have heard from many residents that you would like to see sanctioned encampments to provide shelter and these supportive services, away from City parks. Some neighbours have asked, “Why can’t we do what Halifax did?”
It is important to note, that the Nova Scotian government bought 100 tiny homes at a cost of $7M to assist the City of Halifax to set up their sanctioned encampment. Their province also came to the table with the funding for the operations and support services.
The realm of authority to address mental health and addiction services is the Province. Hamilton City Staff and Council continue to advocate for increases to these supportive services to help residents in need towards a path to healing and recovery. However, they just are not investing in these services, leaving cities across the province to pick up the pieces as best we can until they do. This places a further strain on existing health services and leads to conflicts and harm in our neighbourhoods.
The idea of a sanctioned encampment, which I have supported since last term, will return to Council for deliberation this summer, should Councillor Hwang’s Notice of Motion to have staff report back with initial costing in time for the GIC meeting in August be approved.
I will send out a further update on what residents can expect to see on the ground as a result of these encampment protocol amendments next week. I encourage you to follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/nrinder_ward3 or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NrinderWard3/ to stay up to date on this topic.
A aerial photo of Ward 3. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates".
WARD 3 POP-UP AT OPEN STREETS - JULY 23
The #OurWard3 Team will be hosting a pop-up at Lucy Day Park on Tuesday July 23 from 4pm-6pm.
Our pop-ups are a way for me and my team to connect with residents one-on-one about municipal issues and to work with you directly. The format will be first come, first served, and you can expect to be greeted as well as be asked to provide contact information so we can follow up with you as needed.
These mini appointments will be 5-10mins. We will aim to address your issue on the spot and if it requires follow, we will aim to be in touch with you within a week.
We look forward to seeing you there!
CHILDREN’S GARDEN
I was so pleased to once again stand in community with everyone who attended the 3rd Annual Children’s Garden Party. I was so proud to support this initiative back in 2021, when it first began, with a placemaking grant from the City of Hamilton. It has since flourished into a special space growing in physical size and programming thanks to the dedicated team who steward it.
Seeing these gardens bloom is a highlight for me every time I walk through Gage Park. I see how the careful design and tending draws people in. I see how people relish in the wonder that comes with connecting to the soil, plants and all living things that fill this space.
I would like to thank our community partners, volunteers, and Little Planters for their hard work and dedication. Co-founders Hazel, Michael, Anais (Little Planter) for your initial spark for this idea and dedication of the years to sustain it.
To the core volunteers - Victoria, Jessica, Marc, Megan, Amy, Alexis, Genie (Little Planter), Caroline, Alison, Neeta, and Danielle for your consistency and commitment to community.
And to the City staff who helped enable the initiative and the Parks staff, Horticulture team, and Museums staff who continue to be active partners.
Thank you so much for all you’re doing to help the Children’s Garden thrive.
DEPAVING AT LAIDLAW UNITED
Thanks to a collaboration between Laidlaw United Church and GreenVenture, another pocket of #OurWard3 is greener, more climate resilient, and brimming with the ability to welcome different pollinating species at the corner of Ottawa and Cannon.
Last Saturday, 60 dedicated volunteers transformed over 2000 square feet of pavement, concrete, and lawn into beautiful green spaces. Their hard work will better manage stormwater and provide resources and habitat for local species.
Also a big shout out to Green Communities Canada for sponsoring the Living Cities program. As our friends at GreenVenture have said “Their commitment to creating equitable, abundant, and thriving green infrastructure across Canada is inspiring! 🌎🌿
To all who took part in funding, planning and planting, your commitment to community is at the heart of this project and it shows. Thank you!
If you haven’t seen this incredible transformation yet, I encourage you to head over and take it in.
ROAD RESURFACING WORKS - BALSAM AVE & DUNSMURE RD
Balsam Ave between Cannon and Main, and Dunsmure Road between Prospect and Gage are scheduled for resurfacing, curb to curb, this August. I have requested residents receive a written notice to their mailboxes to outline the date and details of the works to take place.
This work was funded through the Ward 3 Maintenance Account to address the multiple failure points of the roadway. I will be meeting with City staff later this summer to review other roadways on the asset management list that are in a state of disrepair to itemize other priority roads for resurfacing versus reconstruction.
The September e-newsletter will be a dedicated issue on roads to ensure residents are aware of all traffic safety and roadway projects scoped out for the remainder of this year and into 2025.
Photo of an outdoor pool. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Services Updates".
CANADA DAY
All City of Hamilton administrative offices will be closed on Monday, July 1 and will reopen on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
For emergencies involving roads, water mains, sewer systems, and safety issues, please call 905-546-2489 (CITY).
Reminder: Waste collection will occur on the day after your regularly scheduled collection day next week, due to Monday's holiday.
Also, Hamilton Fire is reminding residents to celebrate safely. Attend a public fireworks display to minimize risks. If you plan on setting off fireworks, be sure to set off and dispose of them safely on your own property.
For a full list of services affected, please visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/alert/canada-day-weekend-whats-open-and-whats-closed
OUTDOOR POOLS OPEN JUNE 28 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
Residents are encouraged to stay active and cool this season by enjoying the City’s outdoor pools opening June 28 and other outdoor programs such as Fitness at the Park and Supie starting on July 2.
The City’s outdoor pools open on Friday, June 28 for daily drop-in programs, as weather permits until September 2, at the following locations:
Ancaster Lions Outdoor Pool
Birge Outdoor Pool
Chedoke Outdoor Pool
Coronation Outdoor Pool
Green Acres Outdoor Pool
Inch Park Outdoor Pool
Parkdale Outdoor Pool
Rosedale Outdoor Pool
Victoria Park Outdoor Pool
Walker Outdoor Pool
Wading pools begin opening on July 2 and will close on August 23, offering free, supervised shallow water areas for children in the following parks:
Andy Warburton Wading Pool
Gage Park
Jesse Patterson (Huntington Recreation Centre)
Powell Park
Dundas Driving Park’s wading pool is open from June 24 to September 2.
For more information on operating hours, swim schedules, programming and locations, please visit www.hamilton.ca/outdoorpools
SUPIE PROGRAM: JULY 2 - AUGUST 23, 2024
The Supie program is celebrating 115 years in 2024. Though there are similar programs across Ontario and throughout Canada, Hamilton is believed to have the longest continually running program in the country.
The Supie program offers free drop-in programs during the summer for children at neighbourhood park locations across the city. Programming varies based on participants in attendance and weather, and may include active games, crafts, circle games, or use of equipment/supplies.
Important Supie Reminders:
Staff do not replace parent/guardian supervision. Children are allowed to join or leave activities or the park when they want.
All programs are free of charge.
All programs require check in with staff and collection of basic information (name, age, phone number).
Programming is weather dependent, and all efforts will be made to adjust activities before cancelling. Locations are subject to change without notice.
There are three weekly Supie Programs that take place in #OurWard3 Mondays through Fridays from 10:30am-3:30pm in:
Belview Park
Lucy Day Park
Powell Park
There are also pop-up Supie Programs taking place weekly at the following locations and times:
Mondays at JC Beemer Park from 10:30am-12:30pm
Tuesdays at North Central Community Park from 10:30am-12:30pm
For a full list of all Supie Programs and information, please visit the Supie Outdoor Programs website.
YOUTH REC WEEK: JULY 15-21, 2024
Join us for YouthREC Week (July 15 – 21) and participate in FREE events for young people (12-17 years) in Hamilton, and learn more about recreation employment and training opportunities. Registration is required for some events.
For more information, please visit: hamilton.ca/youthrec.
RAIN BARREL SALE
The 2024 Rain Barrel Sale is now ONLINE. Barrels can be purchased and delivered to your home for only $70 each (includes taxes and delivered for free). The sale ends Sunday, July 21. Visit http://hamilton.ca/rainbarrelsale for more information.
Photo of someone waving a Pride Flag. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Services Updates".
PRIDE RECAP
Love. Respect. Freedom. Justice.
These four words together have always been what I celebrate during Pride every year. Who we love and how we love is an expression of our human spirit and deserves to be celebrated in peace.
And yet, every year, during Pride, acts of hate towards 2SLGBTQIA+ neighbours occurs - a Pride flag was recently burned at a Stoney Creek elementary school.
This is why it is so important to engage in the act of taking up space and being visible. And thanks to the care and organizing by EveryBodyCrew, Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop and Hamilton Craft Studios we had a lovely neighbourhood #PrideMarch and Community Fundraiser here in #OurWard3 in support of YWCA’s Speqtrum program and to celebrate belonging in community this past weekend.
Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers for hosting such an inclusive grassroots event.
MCMASTER DISCOVERY PROGRAM
The McMaster Discovery Program (MDP) is a free, non-credit university course for adults in the Hamilton area who want to experience university in a supportive and welcoming learning community. The program aims to create opportunities for local residents who have faced barriers to accessing post-secondary education to take part in a process of learning and discovery in the liberal arts tradition, to inspire a passion for lifelong learning, and to foster engagement and mutual learning between McMaster University and the communities it aspires to serve.
This year's course is called "Home, Movement and Migration" and will be taught by Dr. Mirna Carranza. The course will aim to explore various factors impacting migration as well as various paths to integration and the making of one’s ‘home’. It will allow participants to explore questions such as, “what does it mean to be home, or to be away from home?”, and “how do immigrant and refugee communities navigate migration, construct transnational identities, and experience life in their new communities while building and recreating home for themselves and their families?”
The course features 11 in-person sessions held on Saturdays between September and November on campus at McMaster. Each session will run from 10:30am-2:15pm, including a break for a shared lunch.
For more information, please visit our website: https://artsci.mcmaster.ca/discovery-program/
HAMILTON-HALTON WALK FOR LUPUS ONTARIO - JULY 7
Please join us for the in-person Hamilton-Halton WALK for Lupus Ontario on Sunday, July 7!
The WALK for Lupus is Lupus Ontario’s largest provincial fundraising and awareness event. It began over 23 years ago with a single walk and has grown into an event involving thousands of participants throughout Ontario. Over the years, the WALK for Lupus has raised over $1 million to fund the Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Research Fellowship, support and education programs for lupus patients and their families, and advocacy projects aimed at improving programs and services for lupus patients.
Registration is available at: https://secure3.convio.net/lupon/site/TR/Events/General?pg=entry&fr_id=1080