Hamilton needs an estimated $60M to address homelessness

Hamilton's shelter system is on the verge of collapse and grappling with an explosion of demand.

That's the message shelter providers shared with the emergency and community services committee Thursday. Shawn MacKeigan of Mission Services also spoke as a delegate on behalf of the Good Shepherd and Salvation Army.

"The fear and hopelessness we witness in the people we are serving is untenable," MacKeigan said.

"And the lack of access to emergency shelters can tear families apart, can place people, especially women, Indigenous people, members of the 2SLGBTQ community and people living disabilities at significant risk of physical harm, violence and even death."

Council decided to stay the decision to declare a state of emergency over the homelessness crisis in Hamilton and will revisit the subject at their next meeting on April 6. 

Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark said the city is undoubtedly in a crisis situation over lack of services and housing for people experiencing homelessness, but said declaring a state of emergency won't do much. 

"We've already declared crises and it didn't open up any funding, it didn't open up any more support." 

1,500 people experiencing homelessness in 2022

At the meeting, city staff told councillors Hamilton continues to grapple with unprecedented numbers of people experiencing homelessness, despite the city's goal to ensure all residents are housed. 

That goal was set over a decade ago. However, more than 1,500 people were experiencing homelessness at the end of 2022 — up from 1,000 in 2020 and 1,200 in 2021, said a staff report. 

"Despite having a comprehensive strategy with many effective interventions in place, the level of need for affordable housing and homelessness supports far exceeds available resources," the report said. 

"This challenge has been exacerbated over the course of the pandemic and the homelessness sector continues to experience unprecedented demand."

The extent of this demand is demonstrated at the YMCA's men's transitional living residence on James Street South. Manny Figueiredo, president and CEO of the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford, told the committee that the dorm-style building houses 174 men transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Over 220 others are on the waitlist.

The vast majority of residents have mental illnesses, addictions and disabilities, said Figueiredo, who spoke as a delegate. They struggle to get care, with 90 per cent without a family doctor. 

"Six men died in their beds last year because of the lack of services they require," he said. 

People remaining in shelter longer

In the last three years, the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness (going without a home for more than six months) has hovered around 500, said director of the city's Housing Services, Michelle Baird. 

And people in shelters are staying longer — 88 days on average last year compared to 80 days in 2021 — because of "inadequate opportunities" for people to find stable housing.

"Really we would want to see people in shelters for less than 30 days," said Baird, adding that without permanent supportive housing it is almost impossible to move people on from the shelter system. 

In the 2023 city budget to be considered by council next week, $44 million is set to go toward homelessness supports.

But staff said they require an additional $20 million a year to end chronic homelessness by 2025. That would mean nobody in Hamilton is unhoused for longer than six months. 

The money would expand interventions that would prevent 600 people from becoming homelessness, provide permanent housing to 1,400 households and add 240 shelter beds, the report said. 

"I don't see a path forward for this city alone," said Mike Zegarac, the city's head of finance, adding that funding from the city's reserves along with picking and choosing priorities will have to be part of the solution. 

Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch said the situation is urgent and the city needs to prioritize getting people housed. 

"Everyone, and I mean everyone, must get in line behind those who don't have housing and are living outside," he said.