Simplifying Housing One Form at a Time
Project Description:
The City of Hamilton, like other cities and urban centers across Canada, is experiencing a housing crisis. This crisis has been exacerbated by the issues of the dramatic increase in real estate prices, a growing interest in residential real estate investment, and incomes that have not kept pace with the increased costs. This gap has resulted in an increase in homelessness and other social issues. These issues pose a significant challenge to the City of Hamilton particularly as it relates to the management of affordable and/or social housing.
The Hamilton Housing Services, Housing Access, and Supports Department is in charge of managing an inventory of approximately 10,000 housing units, of various sizes, natures, and configurations across the city.
The vacancy rate for this rent geared to income housing is very low. With nearly 9,000 people on the waiting list and a low turnover rate, many people on the list can wait up to 10 years for an offer of subsidized housing.
Given a recent change in legislation at a provincial level, those applying for social housing are faced with the challenge of making an informed decision about the kind of unit needed based on their needs now and in the future. Those on the waitlist receive only one offer of housing. Should they refuse that offer they are removed from the waitlist.
The application includes a section in which applicants are asked to choose a property suitable to their needs based on a property inventory listing that is out of date and presented in an industry-focused format.
Challenge Summary:
The challenge for students in this project is to help the team manage the waitlist by:
● Determining what information is required for applicants to make an informed decision of the most suitable unit given their needs,
● What information could/should be shared with applicants during the application and fulfillment process
● Clarification of the process, timing, and methods for fostering effective two-way communication between the department and applicants
● Recommendations for the most effective means for presenting that information to applicants. This has led to the challenge of city housing staff spending a significant portion of their days answering questions about the details and listings in the application process.
In Scope
To be successful with this project, students will need to understand the dynamics of the political, economic, social, and technological trends that are at the root of the housing crisis in Hamilton. Further, they will need to examine the gap in the current information as presented and what is needed for applicants to make an informed housing selection.
Students are also invited to recommend a process for updating the current Social Housing Inventory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
City Staff: Brian Kreps, Housing Services, Housing Access and Supports, Carolynn Lambert - Senior Project Manager,
Faculty: Harold DeVries
Course name: Core Capstone Experience (CTS-410)
Students: Hannah Dieleman, Serena Ball, Jeremy Martin, Karyn TeBrake, Ruth Kuipers, & Juliana Weidelich
