New Barton St. modular housing opens for at-risk Black, Indigenous seniors

Excitement on Barton Street in Hamilton Tuesday with the opening of new long-awaited homes for Black and Indigenous seniors who face homelessness.

The city says this is one project of many aimed at tackling the housing crisis.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, 412 Barton St. was given a new lease on life.

“It means a sense of hope for people. It gives them back a sense of hope they may not have otherwise had,” says Justin Lewis, Director of Hamilton’s Housing Secretariat.

The project, spearheaded by St. Matthew’s House and built by New Commons Development, offers subsidized affordable housing to fifteen seniors.

“Statistically in this neighbourhood, the mortality rate is 65. So you’re more likely to die in this neighbourhood younger than in any other parts of the city. So we knew the seniors were deeply at risk in this neighbourhood,” says Renee Wetselaar, Executive Director of St. Matthew’s House.

WATCH MORE: Big city mayors call for drastic action as homelessness surges across Ontario

“We try to find groups like Renee’s that have really represented the community’s needs, and understand the community’s needs,” says Andy Broderick, Managing Partner at New Commons Development.

The project is a collaboration with the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre and the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association who helped narrow down the focus to Black, Indigenous and female seniors – with half the units being designated for women.

“This is a really critical project to address issues of inequities. We know that racialized communities and seniors suffer more disproportionate homelessness than other cultures and communities unfortunately,” says Evelyn Myrie, President of the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association.

READ MORE: Carney announces $400M joint fund with city of Ottawa for affordable housing

“The accountability here helps us ensure that our seniors will have housing for many years to come,” says Audrey Davis, Executive Director of the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre.

The six-storey building features 15 units, each equipped with brand new appliances, a bed, and a private bathroom.

The 412 Barton project was also made possible by members of the community who shared the vision.

“We thought it was so wonderful and so-clearly well-thought-out. It hit all the right notes for us,” says Mark Tamminga, a donor.

“So many people, so much effort and so much belief to actually have us here today for the grand opening,” another donor, Joany Verschuuren says.

St. Matthew’s House plans to get the fifteen residents settled into 412 Barton in the beginning of the new year and they’re hoping future partnerships will lead to housing even more people in need.

WATCH MORE: Dundas seniors push back against paid visitor parking at apartment building