Feds give Hamilton $45M to build and fix 214 rental units

Hamilton is getting roughly $45 million from the federal government to spend onfour housing projects in thelower city.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Monday, saying the money will go toward building and repairing214 rental units.

The funding was approvedin the previous term of council.

The city will pitch in $19.1 million, according to a press release from Trudeau's office.

The projects are at:

• 90 Carling St.
• 104-106 Bay St.
• 32 Clapham Rd.
• 219 East Ave. N.

The federal government says some of the workwill include building and repairing specific rental units. It said the projects will support seniors, women and children fleeing domestic violence, people experiencing mental health or addiction issues, and Indigenous people.

Housing must have an 'all hands on deck' approach, says Hamilton mayor

"The homes we're building today will help middle class families and vulnerable people," said Trudeau at the announcement on the construction site on 90 Carling St.

At the location, 20 per cent of the units will be classified as affordable, according toDaniel Bragagnolo, director of finances for the company in charge of the project.

The affordable, one-bedroom units will be around the $1,400 mark, he said.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwathtold reporters after the announcement the price is notaffordable in many places, particularly in Hamilton.

"We have to be cognizant of what the income levels are for Hamiltonians," she said.

She said she's been in talks with the provincial government to definewhat affordable means for the different cities and incomes of Ontario.

Bragagnolo saidthey're expecting the units to be taken by young professionals and are looking to target thenurses. One of the requirements to live in the units is for the household income to not go over $90,000.

Trudeau said there's "simply not enough places for people to live" and said more initiatives like this one need to be made.

"Housing isn't a primary federal responsibility, not something that we have directly carried out. But it is something that we can and must help with," he said.

Horwath spoke at the announcement and said keeping the city affordable requires "all hands on deck."

"You can see today that that's something that all of us agree upon," she said at the announcement.

Horwath said the city has a challenge with "the entire housing continuum" where people of most incomes are struggling to get housing

"Right from people who are completely unhoused up to young people who are giving up their dreams of ever owning a house because they simply can't afford it," she said.

Trudeau met with Horwath on Jan. 24 to speak about numerous issues, including housing and homelessness.

A press release from Trudeau at the time said they "emphasized the importance of building affordable housing along the Light Rail Transit corridor."

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal New Democratic Party, visited Hamilton on July 18 to host a roundtable on rent.

He also discussed refugee and asylum seekers facing homelessness, as well as how some renters are trying to form co-ops and buy the buildings they live in.