Canada announces over $35M in funding to build 84 transitional homes in Hamilton

The Government of Canada will be providing over $35 million through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to fund the building of 84 transitional homes in Hamilton for single women and women with children fleeing domestic violence.

The AHF provides funding through low-interest or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing housing.

Ground has officially been broken at 1057 Barton St. E., the future site of the Oakwood Project. Run by the YWCA, the facility will offer transitional housing and peripheral support for women and their children.

“It creates an opportunity for stability, for support, and to get their needs addressed so that they can move into the future in a good way and are not trapped in a condition of poverty and disparity,” said Medora Uppal, YWCA Hamilton CEO.

The project will offer 60 units designed for single women.

Each unit will have a private bedroom and bathroom, and access to shared kitchens and living spaces.

The remaining 24 self-contained units will support women-led families, offering two-to-three bedrooms, along with full kitchen, bathroom and living areas.

The Oakwood Project will be seeing $35.6 million from the federal government through the Affordable Housing Fund, and $6.9 million from the City of Hamilton.

“All the different levels of government are on the same page,” said Aslam Rana, Hamilton Centre MP. “That is: to build more affordable housing.”

The new Oakwood Project will sit where a derelict building used to stand on Barton Street — a strip in central Hamilton that was once full of life but is now in need of revitalization. 

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The former Oakwood Place was demolished last summer. Local residents and businesses say they are ready to welcome their new neighbour.

“I’m so happy it’s getting built. It’s gonna make it a nice, safe community. It’s going to be a nice environment,” said Kevin, a nearby resident. “Maybe it’s gonna bring more store owners to the area with the nice stuff going on.”

Rodney Valdes, owner of Rockney’s Records, is also optimistic.

“A lot of new businesses are opening up like myself, and I think that this is just the beginning of a big change that the city really needs,” Valdes said.

Earlier this year, city council gave unanimous support to a motion by Coun. Nrinder Nann to develop a plan to reinvigorate Barton Village.

“This is real investment into a corridor that’s desperately needed it for a long time,” Nann said. “Barton Street had a legacy of being a place of vitality and community life. And we want to bring that back.”

It is a vitality that Les and Barbara-Jean Major remember from 54 years ago.

“It was beautiful,” Les recalled. “Every house on the street was owned and every part of it was kept up just perfect, and the businesses were thriving.”

There is hope that initiatives like the Oakwood project are a step in the right direction.

“Now we’re gonna get a beautiful building here now. So it’s just so uplifting to see everything coming back to life,” Les said.

Barbara-Jean added that the community is eager for the change.

“This neighbourhood, we’re hoping, is really going to start thriving — especially with the Y(WCA),” she said. “The Y is a very good company to be here, so we’re really looking forward to it and seeing what’s gonna happen.”

Construction is set to begin next month, with the building scheduled to open next fall.

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