People Over Parking
You may have read or heard that half of Hamilton's City Councillors were blocking the City's efforts to allow for affordable housing on city-owned parking lots in downtown Stoney Creek, requiring the Mayor to use Strong Mayor Powers to resolve the impasse. These lots offer free parking, have been declared surplus for many years, and have been zoned for multi-residential use for 30 years.
To borrow from Edmund Burke, elected representatives, more than anything else, owe the public their judgement and not just their obedience to public opinion. Citizens’ trust in government is frustrated when actions don’t match words.
Any decision on housing affects everyone across the City. Hamilton City Council unanimously declared a housing crisis in April 2023, followed by unanimous support for an action plan to bring focus and urgency to this crisis. All of Council committed to action, not just words.
The action plan is called the Housing Sustainability and Investment Roadmap (HSIR). It is intended to be a "whole community" response, with the City of Hamilton partnering with community organisations to build affordable housing.
The sale or lease of surplus City-owned parking lots for a nominal price to not-for-profit housing corporations for affordable housing development is a tool available to municipalities and an identified action in the HSIR. The City and community partners can then use this land asset to leverage federal and provincial housing investments.
Read moreWard 1 Councillor's Newsletter - 2024-01-15
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Affordable Housing Actions - A Ward 1 Update
- First Ward 1 Q&A Session of 2024 with Councillor Wilson
- 2024 City Budget Deliberations
- Strathcona Community Council Annual Public Meeting
Affordable Housing Actions - A Ward 1 Update
To bring focus and urgency to the housing crisis in our city, Hamilton City Council launched the Housing Sustainability and Investment Roadmap (HSIR) in 2023.
The HSIR is intended to be a “whole of community” response, with the City of Hamilton partnering with community organizations that bring different strengths, experiences, needs and resources to the housing table. Although HSIR is an excellent step in bringing local resources together, ultimate success requires a fully engaged and committed federal and provincial government.
This Ward 1 update is to provide residents with the first annual update on the HSIR and the Housing Secretariat.
Read moreCouncillor Wilson's Annual Letter to Residents
- Maureens' Annual Letter to Residents
- Join Councillor Wilson for the First Ward 1 Q&A Session of 2024!
- Hamilton's Winter Response Strategies for Unsheltered Residents
- Strathcona and Kirkendall Complete Safe Streets Study Kick-Off
- Next Phase in the Churchill Park Master Plan
- Make your home future-ready with the Better Homes Hamilton Program
- Call to Upload Urban Parkways to Province
- Victoria Park Tennis Court Replacement
- Immerse Yourself In Our Local Geological Wonders
- Hamilton Outdoor Winter Recreation
- Hamilton Public Library Hour
- Events
Read more
2023-12-04 Ward 1 Newsletter
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Strathcona and Kirkendall Complete Safe Streets Consultation - Dates and locations
- Churchill Park Phase 3 Overview and Informal Teaching Area Survey
- HAAA Park Renewal Features Survey - Options for Skate Dot, Outdoor Gym & Bouldering
- Snow Angels
- Make Your Home Future Ready. Better Homes Hamilton Program
- Residential Zones Project - Reimagining Neighbourhoods Survey Ends December 8th!
- Stormwater Incentive Program Survey
- City Services & Assets Review
- New Short-Term Rentals By-law
- The Order of Hamilton Open for Nominations
- Events
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2023-11-10 Ward 1 Newsletter
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Remembrance Day Service Locations
- Major Transit Station Area Review Ward 1 Public Engagement Session (Online)
- Churchill Park Master Plan Phase 3 Update Meeting (In-person)
- Kanétskare Recreation Centre
- Non-Verbal Communications Boards Added to Ward 1 Community-Level Parks
- Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project Complete
- Sonic Runway at Pier 8
- Get Involved
- Events
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2023-10-27 Ward 1 Newsletter
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Stormwater Management – A Brighter Future, a Necessary Direction
- Locke Street Marker Pubilc Art Unveiling.
- Sterling Street 2024 Improvements (Video)
- Potential HSR Transit Service Disruption
- Get Involved in the City of Hamilton's 2024 Budget Process
- Join the Mayor’s Task Force on Transparency, Access and Accountability
- Events
Read more
2023-09-22 Ward 1 Newsletter
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- The Rise of Homelessness in Hamilton
- Sterling Street 2024 Improvement Online Information Session
- Gender-Based Safety Audit
- Fake Homecoming in the University District
- Events
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The Rise of Homelessness in Hamilton
“Why are we seeing such a dramatic increase in the number of people living in encampments?”
Read more2023-08-11 Ward 1 Newsletter
THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Potential Labour Disruption and Impact on City Services
- Encampment Protocol Passes
- Council Calls to Abandon Province's Greenbelt Plan
- Council Declares Gender-Based Violence and Intimate-Partner Violence an Epidemic in Hamilton
- Events