Feds announce $12.9-million in affordable rapid-housing funds for Hamilton
The city will receive a $12.9-million federal boost to create 49 more affordable rapid-housing units in Hamilton.
Labour Minister Filomena Tassi announced the funds outside the YWCA's soon-to-open affordable housing building on Ottawa Street North Friday.
Affordable housing will play a fundamental role" in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has worsened housing challenges," said Tassi, MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas.
The funds from the federal government's rapid-housing initiative are expected to create an estimated 49 affordable units for people living in precarious housing, experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes.
The projects - still to be determined by the city - must be built within a year of applicants receiving funds.
In December, the federal government announced Hamilton would receive $10.8 million for 45 units as part of the initial rollout of the rapid-housing program.
Projects by Indwell, Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing, Wesley Community Homes, Options for Independent Living and CityHousing were selected to forge ahead and help reduce the city's wait list for subsidized housing.
There are roughly 5,400 households on the list, noted Edward John, the city's housing director. About 4,000 are in need" while the rest are waiting to transfer to other units.
The federal government has supported the 50-unit Putman Family YWCA on Ottawa Street North but not through its rapid-housing initiative.
In 2019, the federal officials announced $10 million from its National Housing Co-Investment Fund for the roughly $24-million building, which the YWCA expects to welcome its first residents at the end of August.
Soon to move in will be women and children who have experienced violence and homelessness, women and their children who are Indigenous, and those who have developmental disabilities," Medora Uppal, the YWCA's director of operations, said Friday.
The new building will also have spaces for seniors and young people, as well as an innovation centre that helps women achieve greater participation in the labour market.
The YWCA is about halfway to its goal to raise $5 million to cover the rest of the building's costs, Uppal noted.
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com