It looks like a garden shed but it is really sign of hope.
There is an 8 by 10-foot cabin in our parking lot, a demonstration model of the kind of tiny cabin that the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters plans to erect to shelter people experiencing homelessness, starting this winter.
This one was provided free by In The Backyard, the Stoney Creek company that will provide all the cabins for the Alliance for a great price. Since March, this cabin has been at the Anglican Cathedral on James Street North. After more than six months as a great host, the cathedral needs its space back. A possible location to move it to was lined up but, when it looked as if that site might fall through, the executive committee of this church very quickly agreed last Thursday to host the cabin here.
This congregation has supported the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters–HATS for short–since it began working on this program last fall.
By this November, HATS hopes to be able to start setting up a collection of seven to 10 of these cabins, including this one, plus washrooms, showers and a kitchen, on a site that is not yet firm. We hope to have residents inside by Christmas.
Until then, this demonstration cabin allows people to see what will be provided for people now living in tents or huddled in doorways. The cabins will be heated, furnished and food and service provided. Timing depends on fundraising success.
If you have questions or a desire to donate, send an email to housing@uuhamilton. ca