Hamilton Councillors reject plan to build 67 new affordable homes, save parking spots

Hamilton Councillors have dismissed the plan to build 67 new affordable homes on the land owned by the city but is currently being used as a parking lot.

 

At general issues committee meeting on Wednesday, there was a split of 8-8 votes.

 

Following the rejection of the affordable housing recommendation, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath issued a statement expressing her disappointment.

 

Horwarth said, “I am extremely disappointed in the committee's decision to put parking lots before desperately needed affordable housing in Hamilton.”

 

She noted that the council had unanimously agreed that Hamilton is facing a “housing and homelessness crisis.” However, she said, “Today we had an opportunity to build 67 new affordable units. Instead, a split vote resulted in Committee members choosing parking lots over housing people.”

 

Horwarth said, “To be clear, the use of municipal lands for affordable housing is a key part of our Housing Sustainability and Investment Roadmap and we must as a Council be doing everything we can to get people housed as quickly as possible.” She also said that there is still an opportunity as the final vote will take place at council next week.

 

The plan suggests selling or leasing the land to an organization focused on affordable housing. This group would have the opportunity to construct two buildings in downtown Stoney Creek at the addresses 5 and 13 Lake Ave. S., according to a report from the staff.

 

This arrangement would result in the loss of 57 of the currently free 162 parking spaces, explained Brian Hollingworth, the city's planning chief, to the city council.

 

However, the new housing project would include 30 parking spaces, reducing the net loss to 27 spaces. Hollingworth noted that after observing the parking lot usage on four different weekdays, they found it was never more than 80% full.