Nearly three months following the anticipated opening of Hamilton’s inaugural outdoor shelter to accommodate 80 individuals during the winter, a small number of people have taken residence. Dave Butler, a spokesperson for Good Shepherd, confirmed that individuals moved in last week, although the exact count remains undisclosed. Good Shepherd oversees the site on behalf of the city, referring inquiries to the municipal administration for further details.
According to the city’s website, the project’s progress was last updated on January 29, indicating ongoing activities such as electrical installations, cabin and building deliveries, and site preparation. The city has not provided any communication updates to the council since January 13. Initially scheduled for completion in December, the project encountered delays, with the city assuring operational readiness by late January. However, successive temperature drops and heavy snowfalls have impeded progress.
Kim Ritchie, a volunteer with the Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN), expressed disappointment over the delayed shelter project, highlighting the critical need for such facilities during harsh winter conditions. Ritchie emphasized the urgency of providing outdoor shelters, especially for individuals currently residing in tents at risk of frostbite and fatalities.
City officials have been reticent about the timeline for transitioning individuals into the temporary shelters. City spokesperson Antonella Giancarlo acknowledged weather-related challenges impacting the project’s timeline, emphasizing efforts to expedite the process. Although questions regarding shelter occupancy remained unanswered, Mayor Andrea Horwath affirmed that outreach workers are actively facilitating residents’ move to the outdoor shelter, prioritizing compassion and privacy.
The Barton-Tiffany outdoor shelter’s construction faced setbacks, including a temporary halt in November due to safety concerns and compliance issues raised by the Ministry of Labour. Following the resumption of work in December, delayed delivery of tiny homes pushed the opening to mid-January. The city’s procurement of these homes from an American company, sourced from China, at a cost of approximately $35,000 per unit, raised questions about the selection process.
Criticism has been directed at the city’s handling of the project, with advocates, including SOPEN, advocating for sanctioned encampment sites as early as 2023. The project’s rocky progression could have been avoided through closer collaboration with advocacy groups and earlier initiation. Despite initial rejection by city staff, the endorsement of a sanctioned encampment site by the mayor in subsequent years underscores the evolving approach to addressing homelessness in Hamilton.
