Update on Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelter (HATS) pilot

HAMILTON, ON - The City of Hamilton has always been committed to exploring every option and opportunity to address the crisis of homelessness in our community.

The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) was founded to provide warm, safe and temporary tiny homes - with wrap-around supports - for those experiencing homelessness in Hamilton. In August 2023, City Council directed staff to engage with HATS to provide up to 25 unhoused residents with temporary shelter and support through a Tiny Homes pilot to be in place prior to the upcoming winter months.

Since that time, the City has worked with HATS as they performed the necessary due diligence to move this work forward. This work has involved investigating both the technical requirements to establish a Tiny Homes pilot as well as the operational requirements, such as the ability to provide the critical services to HATS residents and ensure the well-being of surrounding communities.

The City is thankful for the leadership HATS has shown in bringing forward an innovative, compassionate and human-centered approach to help mitigate the impacts of homelessness through a Tiny Homes pilot.

Their generosity, citizenship and partnership has been greatly appreciated, and we support the conclusions of their due diligence process to not proceed with their pilot on the Strachan Street site.

The City of Hamilton will be taking additional measures to meet the needs of unhoused individuals over the winter months, including a call-out for applications for overnight winter warming spaces, expansion of day time drop-in programs and expansion of hours at some recreation centres and libraries.

The City has been working closely with the volunteer HATS organization for nearly two years, and we will continue to do so.

No alternative sites are proposed for this time, as we focus on the ongoing implementation of the City’s encampment protocols and work to accelerate the provision of low barrier shelter space and affordable options across the housing continuum. The City will continue to keep the public informed about progress with respect to the Tiny Homes initiative through the monthly General Issues Committee Encampment Response Updates.

The HATS volunteers have invested considerable time in undertaking their due diligence and fundraising for their project, and we are grateful for their efforts and their dedication to the people of Hamilton.

Additional Resource

HATS statement on the Tiny Homes pilot