Local Indigenous non-profit break ground in central Hamilton for new housing project

It’s the first of its kind in Hamilton: the Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing Service broke ground on a new project Monday, which will see 40 individuals housed, with wraparound supports.

Monday marked a new journey for Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing in Hamilton.

This group broke ground on a new project which will see 40 new housing units on Gage St. North, aimed at supporting Indigenous individuals.

“So we will be providing health navigation, elder circles, land-based teachings as well as having a sacred fire on-site,” said Melissa Myke-Levesque with Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing.

There will be an assessment process in which individuals will need to provide proof of Indigenous status, ending in an interview.

“For all qualified individuals, they can fill out an application as well as provide appropriate documentation,” said Myke-Levesque.

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The reason why this project is so important, is because it’s the first Indigenous-led supportive housing project in Hamilton.

“The operating costs — we’re still in conversation with the Minister of Health,” said Miranda Rappazzo, the Executive Director at Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing. “We need about $1.3 million yearly to run a project like this.”

The federal government was on hand to announce $12.2 million to build affordable housing units in Hamilton, to include this new project.

The City of Hamilton will also be providing direct municipal funding, amounting to $200,000, as well as over $1 million in city fees waived.

“A lot of people in encampments, and experiencing homelessness or incarceration, who are going to be housed here — they need to build a supportive community around them,” said Emily Cassidy, a Project Manager at Flourish.

Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing says they will see residents move into this new space by December 2026.

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