(May 3rd, 2022 – Hamilton, ON) Habitat for Humanity Hamilton and CityHousing Hamilton have partnered to bring vacant housing units within the city back online. The pilot project, which is now underway, has Habitat Hamilton rehabilitating affordable housing units for families to make the units habitable once again.
The partnership between Habitat Hamilton and CityHousing Hamilton will address two primary needs in Hamilton. First, to address the need for safe and affordable housing in our local communities. Second, by engaging local youth to perform most of the construction and rehabilitation activities, under trained supervision, Hamilton youth are provided a unique opportunity to gain valuable construction experience and knowledge in the skilled trades.
Three housing units will be repaired and rehabilitated under this new partnership. Work at the first unit has been completed and Habitat Hamilton is excited to report the renovations were completed ahead of schedule and under-budget. The units are owned and operated by CityHousing Hamilton and provide affordable, rent geared-to-income housing for families in need.
“Our partnership with Habitat Hamilton highlights the value of community partnerships not only for our organizations but to the communities we serve,” says Brian Kinaschuk, Manager of Maintenance at CityHousing Hamilton. “From the housing side, our collaboration will help put family units back online as quickly and efficiently as possible, while providing our local youth the chance to gain hands-on training and experience in real-life settings.”
By partnering with Habitat Hamilton, CityHousing can complete the necessary renovations at a significant cost reduction.
“It’s amazing to see how two community-minded organizations have come together for the mutual benefit and social well-being of Hamilton families,” says Peter Walberg, Habitat Hamilton’s Building Services Manager. “It’s extremely rewarding to help make our joint visions a reality. We believe that the best way we can achieve our mission to make safe, affordable housing available to all is through partnerships like this one.”
Habitat Hamilton has been engaging local youth on its build sites for many years through its Youth Build Program. The partnership with CityHousing Hamilton is an extension of those activities for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) secondary students. Students learn the skilled trades with on-site training and mentorship by an experienced construction team. An emphasis is placed on teaching valuable trade skills, as well as soft skills that will aid students in future employment, such as time management and leadership.
“We see this as a fantastic opportunity to provide safe, decent and affordable housing in Hamilton, but also as a way to engage local students and deliver invaluable experiential training,” says Sean Ferris, Chief Executive Officer at Habitat Hamilton. “The pilot project with CityHousing Hamilton allows us to support a greater number of lives within our community, beyond our current programs. We are excited to be able to increase our impact, and help Hamilton families build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.”
The community can get involved in this pilot project by volunteering their time on-site. For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit Habitat Hamilton’s website.
About Habitat for Humanity Hamilton:
Founded in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton is an independent, not-for-profit housing program that builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Habitat Hamilton has accommodated over 30 Habitat homeowners locally since its incorporation and is one of Habitat Canada’s fastest growing affiliates and developments forthcoming. For more information, please visit www.ebmediatestsite.ca/test8
About CityHousing Hamilton:
CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) is the Housing Corporation owned and operated by the City of Hamilton. CHH is the largest affordable housing provider in Hamilton, and the third largest housing provider in the province of Ontario. CHH provides affordable housing that is safe, well maintained, cost-effective and that supports the diverse needs of Hamilton’s many communities. Learn more at www.cityhousinghamilton.com
For more information, please contact:
Sean Ferris, Chief Executive Officer
Habitat for Humanity Hamilton
(905) 560 6707 ext 108
sean@ebapi.ca