City of Hamilton gets $23M from feds to build affordable homes

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Published January 25, 2022 at 9:46 am

Hamilton housing affordable homes apartments

The City of Hamilton received $23.3 million from the Canadian government to build 109 new affordable homes.

The announcement was made Tuesday (Jan. 25) as part of the $2.5 billion Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to create 10,000 new affordable homes across the country.

“Our government’s funding announcement will be used to address one of Hamilton’s most pressing issues, housing and homelessness,” said Filomena Tassi, Hamilton MP and federal minister. “Since 2015, our government has worked with local advocates and organizations to address Hamilton’s affordable housing shortage and make projects like this come to fruition.”

The pandemic and ensuing encampment controversies have highlighted the need for housing solutions in Hamilton.

The first project, located at 35 Arkledun Ave will convert the former Columbia International College residence into 73 units for women, transgender, and non-binary community members who are experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness.

The second project is located at 253 King William St and is operated by CityHousing Hamilton. This project will provide an estimated 24 units for women and their children, those experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness, and for Black Canadians.

The final project is operated by St. Matthew’s House at 412 Barton St East. It will create 12 units for Black Canadians and Indigenous people.

The units are expected to be built within the next 12 months.

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home,” said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “The City is grateful for the Government of Canada’s support and investment towards meeting the housing needs of vulnerable residents who are experiencing, or near the point of experiencing, homelessness in our community. COVID-19 has intensified the need to access affordable housing in our growing city.”

The RHI is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and under the National Housing Strategy.

Close to 33 per cent of the combined RHI funding has gone towards women-focused housing projects.

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