Canada’s housing minister recently announced a $97 million cash injection for Hamilton, Halton and Niagara to allow for more than 8,500 affordable homes to be built or renovated.
Sean Fraser made the announcement at a CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) location at 106 Bay St. N. that received over $5 million to build 55 new homes.
This location, that is currently under construction, will include both single and family units for women and their children who are fleeing violence and is due for completion by the end of this year.
“Access to safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone for building a thriving and equitable society, and the need for affordable housing has never been more urgent. The current Access to Housing Waitlist is at approximately 6,000 residents looking for housing, moving to appropriate housing, etc. We continue working towards a whole-of-community and comprehensive approach to address issues related to housing and homelessness in our community,” said Al Fletcher, acting director of City of Hamilton Housing Services.
Other CityHousing Hamilton construction projects include:
- 257 King William St. (low-rise 24 studio apartments) — scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.
- 55 Queenston Rd. (mid-rise, 40 one- and three-bedroom apartments, the first of two buildings being built on the former City Motor Hotel site).
- 1620 Main St. E. (mid-rise, 42 one- and two-bedroom apartments). It is the second of two buildings at the former City Motor Hotel site. It is being constructed using a panelized modular mass timber system, a first for CityHousing Hamilton. Completion is expected by fall 2025.
According to Fletcher, Hamilton is investing $158 million this year in housing and homelessness measures, which is an increase of $33 million, or 26 per cent, over 2023.
Additionally, council has also approved a $72.3 million financing plan in support of the Housing Sustainability and Investment Roadmap.
“From a CHH perspective, we are currently working on a long-term development strategy and action plan which is intended to drive a pipeline of new projects for the coming two decades. In the interim, there are also new projects being planned at Macassa Avenue behind an existing CHH property and at a confidential location which is being studied for feasibility,” said Adam Sweedland, CEO of CHH.
For the three regions, the $97 million in contributions and low-cost loans are through the federal Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)and will create a total of 270 new homes and the repairs of 8,399 existing homes.
“This federal funding has enabled our community to benefit from a new affordable housing build in Niagara as well as helped us to keep our existing community housing in good condition through essential repairs,” said Cameron Banach, director of housing services for Niagara Region.
The AHF provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to help build new, affordable homes and renovate and repair existing, affordable and community housing. It falls under the National Housing Strategy.
In Halton Region, the recent contributions enabled Victoria Park Community Homes to proceed with its development in Milton to create an additional 24 one-bedroom units at their site.
“Halton Region appreciates recent investments by the federal government to deliver new assisted housing through $9.3 million in support for 265 Kerr St., Oakville, a four-storey, 52-unit seniors supportive housing building and $2 million for 47 Maria St., a 12-unit supportive housing building in Acton. In addition, $6 million in joint federal and provincial funding is anticipated under the National Housing Strategy to create 14 seniors supportive housing units at 1258 Rebecca St., Oakville,” said Daryl Kaytor, director of housing services for Halton Region.
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