The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) says that they are working with the City of Hamilton on launching their planned two-year, 25-home pilot project in mid-2024. Photo Credit: HATS.
The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) says that they are working with the City of Hamilton on launching their planned two-year, 25-home pilot project in mid-2024.
The pilot, which was initially approved by Hamilton City Council and was targeted to be set up before the 2023/24 winter season, was then cancelled amidst controversy surrounding the location and costs.
A number in the community argued that the location was too close to residences and a nearby school.
The miniature homes are meant to provide temporary shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
The tiny shelters were approved for Strachan Linear Park, a city-owned piece of land on Strachan Street East between James Street North and Hughson Street North.
However, the location decision appeared to be unilaterally made by city staff and was sprung on HATS, Council, and Hamilton residents in the fall of 2023.
Given that the winter was approaching, HATS attempted to move forward with the Strachan site, but ultimately decided that it was not viable.
A statement from the HATS Board of Directors at the time read: “The organization felt too many of its essential site selection criteria were not being fully met, which would severely compromise the success of the Pilot to the detriment of all of its community partners.”
“While the Strachan site addressed some of the needs of the HATS project, the due diligence process led HATS to conclude that the investment required was too significant,” the statement continued.
The Strachan site does not have access to the sewage system or water, meaning that the group would have had to make additional investments in order to set up proper facilities.
The Strachan location was also opposed by the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) which represents thousands of construction and energy workers across Canada, has a significant presence in Hamilton, and operates the nearby LIUNA Station.
LIUNA is now working with the group “to examine potential sites” that are better suited for the project.
HATS said in a new release that they have “remained proactive” and “dedicated” to their mission despite their decision not to proceed with the city-proposed Strachan site.
The group adds that they are refining site selection criteria to provide “continuous improvement to the HATS model” and “accommodate the needs of all stakeholders.”
They have reportedly been evaluating new sites as well as reassessing previously proposed locations.
The group says that they will be submitting a new proposal at some point in January “to recommend an alternative location for a HATS village implementation by mid-2024.”
They note that they are “devoted to following due process, including community engagement, before making any final site selection.”
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.
