An initiative led by Mohawk College and CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) is looking to provide more affordable housing units for the community.

Over the fall term, 63 students from the college’s Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program have worked to complete a 112-hour service learning project through the partnership that was created through the Mohawk’s participation in CityLab Hamilton.

CityLab Hamilton serves as an innovation hub to unite students, academic and civil leaders in the collective goal of creating a better city for the diverse community that live and work in the city.

The lab look s to collaborate with local higher-education institutions and city staff to develop innovative solutions to city-identified projects that align with the City’s Strategic Priorities.

“A service-learning project with CityHousing Hamilton makes complete sense,” said Mohawk College faculty member Darren Hyland.

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“It is mutually beneficial for everyone involved. CityHousing Hamilton’s mission to provide more affordable housing is one that really resonates with our class, and our students are learning and gaining so much from the builds. Together, we are putting more Hamilton families into safe homes.”

The project was supported by funding from the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative and CEWIL Canada’s iHUB.

The funds supplied the students with CSA safety boots, high-visibility long-sleeve shirts, construction safety glasses, dexterity gloves, hearing protection, and N95 respirators to help reduce financial barriers faced by students involved in the project.

Students and faculty members will be sharing their learned experiences at the Fall 2023 CityLab Project Showcase to be held in December.