City's plan for outdoor shelter on Barton Street moves ahead after councillors vote in favour
CBC
After hours of debate, city councillors have voted in favour of a temporary outdoor shelter space on Barton Street West.
City staff presented a report at a general issues committee meeting on Wednesday recommending a 40-unit outdoor shelter. The shelter is set to house approximately 80 people. The decision still needs to be ratified at a city council meeting.
The report comes a few weeks after Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath asked staff to figure out how sanctioned encampment sites could be ready this year.
Ward 3 councillor Nrinder Nann said "to all the residents expressing their deep desires for a city, neighbourhoods and parks, as spaces that can be truly a place of belonging for all, we hear you loud and clear."
She said "with the passing of this recommendation report we will continue to make improvements and continue to put passion, compassion and care into action together."
According to the report, the outdoor shelter is primarily meant to house couples and people with pets who may not be allowed to stay together in indoor shelters.
Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch said, during the meeting, this plan will allow the city to shelter more people from the winter cold.
Kroetsch said although it will not be able to serve everybody, it will be a good path forward to "bridge that gap."
"We simply cannot tell people that they have nowhere to live," he said.
Councillors also voted to revisit the encampment protocol — a set of rules that stipulate where people can and cannot pitch tents in parks — in early 2025, after the outdoor shelter and additional indoor shelter spaces are added, to discuss whether encampments should continue to be allowed in parks.
City staff estimate the project will cost approximately $7 million for 80 shelter beds until December of next year.
They recommended a plot of city-owned land located on the north side of Barton Street West between Caroline Street North and Hess Street North as the best available space.
They considered proximity to essential services like hydro and sewage, accessibility for first-responders, proximity to transit and more. It is expected to be finished and operational by Dec. 1.
The site would have 40 units, two common buildings, and a supply of food, washrooms and laundry facilities.
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