Community hub pitched as affordable housing alternative for Stoney Creek has long history of not getting built

Hamilton councillors opposed to building affordable housing on a city parking lot are hopeful a "leading-edge" alternative is still doable, even as the plan for the lot is expected to go ahead.

The alternative they've pitched in recent months involves reviving a decade-old plan to build 44 units on the same property as the Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and an elementary school, says the ward's councillor, Matt Francis. 

"This has the potential to be a progressive and leading-edge solution and could be replicated across the city," Francis told councillors at a February meeting. The idea has been supported by fellow Stoney Creek councillors Brad Clark and Jeff Beattie. 

Francis has been critical of the plan to build housing on the parking lot on Lake Avenue but last month lost his fight to keep the lot intact. 

Mayor Andrea Horwath used her strong mayor powers to overturn council's decision to not build affordable housing on the city property.

Horwath said at the time it was her duty to see that when municipal properties become available, they're used for "sorely needed" affordable housing during a housing affordability crisis. 

Francis was disappointed in Horwath using what he called an "undemocratic measure to get her way," he said in an interview Thursday. 

He stands by his assertion that building affordable housing at the Riverdale community centre is a better alternative to the parking lot, which local businesses say customers rely on, and is still planning on seeing that project through. 

Despite council's months-long debate over where affordable housing should be built in Hamilton's east end, what wasn't discussed was the viability of adding it to the Riverdale site — owned by the public school board — or why the same proposal that was pitched years ago has never happened. 

But a closer look at the site shows some of the hurdles that continue to exist when it comes to building affordable housing on public land, and raises the question of whether those hurdles can be overcome.

The Riverdale community centre property is owned by the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and is connected to Lake Avenue Elementary School.

Back in 2015, it was pegged for upgrades and renovations, which prompted school board trustee Todd White and other elected officials to consider adding affordable housing to the mix, White said.

With the board and city's support, they pitched to the Ministry of Education an eight-storey community hub that would be on the same property as the school, but not attached, White said. On the first two floors the hub would offer a host of services for students and their families: health care, child care, a family literacy centre and community kitchen.

The rest of the building would provide affordable housing for seniors.