Media Release
City Advances Affordable Housing Development Projects
HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to affordable housing. Through the Affordable Housing Development Project Stream process’ inaugural intake round, 11 projects will receive municipal funding contributions to move forward with construction this year.
The projects that have secured municipal contributions include both affordable and supportive housing options for specific populations. Approximately $8.2 million is earmarked to fund all 11 approved projects, with the potential to develop 440 affordable housing units and 435 supportive housing units.
“I am so proud to be here today to mark the very first 11 affordable housing developments that the Housing Secretariat, a new City division established by Council in 2023, will be funding. This City of Hamilton funding will support construction that will begin this year,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. "Thank you and congratulations to the Housing Secretariat Team and to all of the City staff in so many different departments that contribute to this success story! None of it would happen without our committed and dedicated community housing providers who are working tirelessly with the city and the Secretariat to help find creative and permanent housing solutions that will benefit Hamiltonians. We are grateful every day for their partnership. Without that partnership we would not be here today marking this milestone. The fact is, much more desperately needed affordable and supportive housing is required, and could be built, with greater contributions from our other partners, the federal and provincial governments. I will continue to advocate tirelessly for those increased investments.”
These projects will receive municipal funding contributions through the Affordable Housing Development Project Stream process:
| Organization | Address/Ward | Units | Target Occupancy | Municipal Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CityHousing Hamilton | 106 Bay Street North (Ward 2) | 55 | Q4 2024 | $1,600,000 |
| Victoria Park Homes | 60 Caledon Ave (Ward 8) | 261 | Q3 2025 | $1,000,000 |
| St. Mathews House | 412 Barton Street East (Ward 3) | 15 | Q1 2025 | $435,000 |
| Indwell Community Homes | 311 Robert Street (Ward 3) | 23 | Q2 2026 | $143,611 |
| Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing Inc. | 204 Gage Avenue North (Ward 3) | 40 | Q3 2026 | $200,000 |
| Indwell Community Homes | 174 Ottawa Street North (Ward 3) | 32 | Q4 2026 | $1,870,000 |
| Indwell Community Homes | 120 Wentworth St North (Ward 3) | 50 | Q4 2026 | $350,000 |
| Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. | 1518 Upper Wentworth St (Ward 7) | 124 | Q1 2027 | $1,400,000 |
| Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing Inc. | 95 Dundurn Street South (Ward 1) | 30 | Q1 2027 | $250,000 |
| YWCA | 1067 Barton Street East (Ward 3) | 90 | Q2 2027 | $450,000 |
| Good Shepherd Centre Hamilton | 135 Mary Street (Ward 2) | 155 | Q3 2027 | $500,000 |
All eligible projects were issued Letters of Intent, which served as the first official documentation to confirm City of Hamilton support. The letters represent a crucial step by bridging the gap between the evaluation results of the intake process and the formal Municipal Contribution Agreements. This process provides applicants with official documentation sooner, demonstrating that the City is first at the table with support, so applicants can move forward with provincial and federal funding submissions.
“Access to adequate and affordable housing is one of the most urgent issues our city faces and continues to be a top priority for our Council and City staff,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “Advancing affordable housing development projects is a crucial step toward helping individuals move out of homelessness into greater stability, emphasizing the City’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.”
About the Affordable Housing Development Project Stream
The Affordable Housing Development Project Stream is a transparent, streamlined process for evaluating the feasibility of an affordable or supportive housing project, fast-tracking through approval processes and allocating municipal funding and other forms of support within the City of Hamilton over the next five years. This process helps expedite the process, with new construction projects beginning each spring.
All projects evaluated through the Affordable Housing Development Project Stream receive Letters of Intent and Municipal Contribution Agreements, regardless of whether the City contributes funding or administrative support. This ensures that if funding becomes available in the future, it can be quickly and efficiently allocated by updating existing documentation. These written commitments from the City give applicants a solid foundation to advocate for additional funding from other orders of government.
“The Project Stream provides a transparent process for funding allocation decisions, ensuring all potential affordable housing developers have an equal opportunity to access available funding,” said Justin Lewis, Director, Housing Secretariat. “The municipal contribution to these projects can take various forms, depending on the specific needs of each project. The objective is to work together to build the greatest number of affordable and supportive housing units possible with the City’s assistance.”
Interested housing providers can apply to the Housing Secretariat’s intake process, online at www.hamilton.ca/HousingSecretariat. Project Stream applications are evaluated quarterly, with application rounds closing on March 15th, June 15th, September 15th, and December 15th, respectively.
Quick Facts
- The Affordable Housing Development Project Stream was developed in partnership between the Housing Secretariat Division and the Planning & Economic Development Department. It is designed to provide a clear and consistent process for allocating funding to new affordable housing construction projects annually.
- 41 eligible projects have been submitted through the Affordable Housing Development Project Stream process, representing approximately 2,500 new affordable and supportive housing units.
- This initiative aligns with the City’s Housing Sustainability & Investment Roadmap, the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, and Council Priorities, ensuring that all potential affordable housing developers have an equal opportunity to pursue available funding.
- The initiative also aligns with the 2022-2026 Council Priority of Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods; Outcome 1: Increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing and reduce chronic homelessness.
Tags
People & Programs
Healthy & Safe Communities
Affordable Housing
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