People start moving into tiny shelters on Hamilton’s Barton-Tiffany lands

People have started to move into tiny outdoor shelters on the Barton-Tiffany lands near Hamilton’s waterfront.

Good Shepherd, who is operating the site for the city, is facilitating the phased move-in process for residents.

“The shelter is now providing support to residents on-site and will continue welcoming new residents gradually to prioritize the safety and well-being of both residents and the surrounding community,” reads a statement on the city’s website tracking the project.

CHCH News reached out to the city to ask exactly how many people have moved in, but has not heard back yet.

Mayor Andrea Horwath says in a post on X that “the city’s Housing-Focused Street Outreach Team is prioritizing people who are currently in encampments for referrals, working directly with encampment residents on a case-by-case basis.”

#HamOnt Temporary Outdoor Shelter Site – Update: In partnership with the @cityofhamilton, Good Shepherd has begun welcoming unhoused residents as tenants to the new temporary outdoor shelter location.

The city’s Housing-Focused Street Outreach Team is prioritizing individuals… pic.twitter.com/O3IZdHmowE

— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) February 24, 2025

The community of 40 micro-shelters is meant to temporarily house up to 80 people.

A number of services will be provided, including food, washrooms, showers, laundry, health care and addiction support. It will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The homes were supposed to be set up on Dec. 20, but it was pushed back to Jan. 13.

WATCH MORE: 40 tiny shelters arrive at Hamilton’s Barton-Tiffany site after delay