How might we focus on engaging the residents of Hamilton to determine how we can understand the current issues around community housing and help Hamilton develop a better housing investment and sustainability plan for them?
Context: Housing in Hamilton has been an issue for a prolonged period of time now. The COVID-19 pandemic has made finding affordable housing much more difficult. It is evident that the demand is greater than the number of housing facilities, which includes community housing. The decreased availability of houses and city buildings has driven the rent to increase drastically. Community housing is part of the Housing Continuum where housing is accessed by mostly people who have low incomes and cannot afford market-rate apartments.
Problem:
COVID-19, individuals’ income and food conditions have exacerbated the ongoing issues of housing.
How is it still affecting the housing consciousness in Hamilton, specifically community housing?
Has there been a strategy that was implemented? If so, what worked and how can it be improved?
Engagement of residents is crucial to providing them with a sustainable housing strategy - how is it being done currently?
There are limitation to accessing current housing support services to supporting individuals in community housing and helping them advance up the housing continuum.
There are limitations to non-profit organizations and municipalities financial support of permanent housing units for the general public.
The waitlist for social housing in Hamilton is long and individuals wait for many years to receive a unit.
Goals:
Understand the services and support individuals need when moving up the housing continuum.
Recognize what resources and support services community housing provides in order to better assist residents in obtaining permanent, affordable housing units.
Discuss with stakeholders how individuals/families have access to financially subsidized, permanent housing units by non-profit organizations and municipalities.
Comprehend how social support services assist individuals at risk of homelessness, low-income households, and individuals requiring additional support for a physical disability.
Student Team: Kundan Ahluwalia, Elza Joji, Shauna Ko, Fiona Sharpe, Ritika Sudan
Faculty & Course: CityLAB Semester in Residence, Dave Heidebrecht, Darina Vasek, Elizabeth Bang and Randy Kay
