‘Things are getting worse’ at Hamilton social housing, forcing CityHousing to hire a safety specialist
CityHousing Hamilton plans to hire a safety specialist in response to growing security concerns in the municipal housing provider's buildings.
Things are getting worse, not better, in terms of safety," Coun. Jason Farr said during a CityHousing board meeting Friday.
Indeed, feelings of fear and discomfort" are common among the tenants he's met during visits to CityHousing properties, said acting CEO Ed VanderWindt.
The $143,361 full-time specialist is to apply a holistic lens" to safety and security rather than take the current reactionary" and ad hoc" approach, said Amanda Warren-Ritchie, manager of strategy and quality improvement.
It's really that community and social development piece that we're looking at."
CityHousing spends roughly $1.7 million a year, mostly at its Vanier Towers highrise at 95 Hess St. S., on private security.
The hope is that the specialist responsible for an overarching strategy can help reduce that cost, which isn't sustainable, Warren-Ritchie said.
In the meantime, CityHousing tenant Patricia Reid says the concerns are real.
Police are frequently called to First Place, a highrise at King and Wellington, she told the board. There's an enormous amount of drug use and alcohol consumption."
Reid said she recently spoke to a fellow tenant who was in terror" because a neighbour was stalking her."
Safety at CityHousing buildings were in the spotlight during a 2020 murder trial into Marilyn Mitton's stabbing death at 200 Jackson St. W. four years earlier.
Evidence showed the 66-year-old complained for several months to housing officials and police that her estranged boyfriend had been harassing her. The jury found Wayne Bell, 70 at the time, guilty of first-degree murder and arson.
For years, many residents have said safety and security are their No. 1 concern," said Farr, who is CityHousing president.
This was reinforced in tenant survey and focus groups earlier this year that showed they don't feel safe and want more of a staff presence at properties.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worsening mental health and anti-social behaviours among many tenants" while those with severe challenges have had a significant impact" on neighbours, a staff report noted.
In 2015, CityHousing dedicated roughly $750,000 to security cameras at three highrise buildings, including Vanier Towers. A year later, the board approved $1.2 million for cameras at other sites.
The board plans to pay for the specialist by reallocating capital funds that had been earmarked for a roof repair.
Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com