January 17, 2022, Our Board approved a letter of support for a project to create a community of tiny heated cabins as a temporary measure to reduce the harm of homelessness.
Letter of Support Jan 17 2022.pdf
The Board is supporting efforts to create a community of small cabins in Hamilton as a temporary way to provide an alternative to encampments for people experiencing homelessness for whom shelters aren’t suitable.
The Board quickly approved a letter of support for the concept that has been proven on the ground in Kitchener for the past three years. The Board’s approval came as a property owner considered possible use of its land. So far, finding a site still eludes the proponents, including the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction, the Social Planning and Research Council, former Ontario Housing Minister Ted McMeekin, Indwell, the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and Bill Johnston of our church.
We have a supplier who will build eight-by-10-foot cabins that will be insulated, heated and fire-proofed. Residents will be able to lock them, for privacy and to keep their possessions safe. Support services are being lined up. Fund-raising, liability insurance, staffing etc. are all being investigated but the key is a site and city of Hamilton support. Both, we hope, will come soon.
Meanwhile, the Board’s support is most welcome, and the Affordable Housing Team is grateful.