Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters search for site after city rejects locations

Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) is now onto its fourth potential location after the others were rejected, including the former Sir John A. Macdonald land.

Tom Cooper of HATS says, “the third or fourth time this project has been delayed where we have identified potential sites or several potential sites for the tiny cabin community and council come back that they’d like more information, more details.”

HATS is looking to build a community of ten 120-square-foot cabins along with a communal kitchen tent, bathroom facilities, and more. Time is now running out to get it built this winter.

“We will continue to push. More lives will be put at risk. But, we will endeavor to get this project going in 2023 whatever it takes,” Cooper said.

Ward 2 councillor, Cameron Kroetsch says, “it’s important to focus on the fact this isn’t just about the winter, it’s about the support services that are part of this project. It’s about letting the pilot happen and seeing what can happen. These shelters are needed year-round, and the services that come with that shelter are needed year-round.”

There is a similar community in Kitchener and now the group and city staff are looking at the Barton Tiffany lands by the west harbour.

Cooper says there are more than 1,600 people sleeping rough in Hamilton right now and though this community would only take about ten people off the street, it’s a start.

“We know the tiny cabins aren’t permanent housing, but we really do believe they can provide some security, they can insure people can stay healthy and warm and really begin to stabilize their lives so they can move on and transition out of that cycle of homelessness,” Cooper said.

HATS has already raised $300,000 to build the tiny cabins and is asking the city for another $100,000 before a site can be decided on, the city will need to consult area residents.