Located at 256 Parkdale Avenue, the McQuesten Lofts (pictured) officially opened in December 2020. The joint funding from the provincial and federal governments announced last week will help sustain the building’s 50 units into the foreseeable future. Photo credit: Invizij Architects
Last Friday, August 5, the Canadian and Ontario governments pledged $5.8 million to provide much-needed affordable housing in Hamilton.
The funding will be used to sustain 50 units in East Hamilton at 256 Parkdale Avenue, a property which was recently built and is managed by the non-profit organization Indwell Community Homes. The building is dubbed the “McQuesten Lofts.”
Tenants first moved into the building in December 2020.
A number of officials were on hand for the announcement last week, including Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden. Government of Canada representatives included federal Minister of Housing, Diversity, and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MP Chad Collins.
The Government of Canada is contributing $3 million to the project, while the Government of Ontario is investing $2.8 million as part of the Affordable Housing Bilateral Agreement.
The units are being allocated to several “priority populations,” including the chronically homeless, individuals transitioning from provincially funding institutions, individuals with mental health and addictions issues, and persons with disabilities.
The apartments are “fully independent” which provides tenants “the opportunity to create a life of their own with safety, privacy, and dignity”, according to a press release.
Lumsden, who represents the riding where the units are located, said that “projects like McQuesten Lofts help protect our community’s most vulnerable and build a stronger Ontario.”
The Government of Ontario has allocated almost $4.4 billion over the past three years to help sustain, repair, and grow community housing. The funding is part of the government’s Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clark says that the above policies and strategies have delivered “historic results in getting more housing built faster.”
“We have also strengthened mental health and addictions support for people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, he said.
“Ensuring all Ontarians have a home that meets their needs and budget, especially our most vulnerable, is a top priority for our government.”
Note that the author of this article, Kevin Geenen, is running for Ward 5 City Council Hamilton (Gray Rd to Red Hill Parkway plus the Beach Strip). Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Kevin Geenen reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on social media. He is a regular contributor with The Hamilton Independent and has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. He is known for Hamilton Neighbourhood Watch crime updates and no-nonsense news graphics. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal from Governor General David Johnston. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
