Tensions high ahead of council's vote to build affordable housing or save Stoney Creek parking

Surrounded by handmade signs that tell passing cars, "Welcome To Hamiltent" and "We Won't Back Down," Angela Vos gestures to dozens of tents outside city hall — part of a growing protest against the housing crisis. 

"I'm frustrated and I'm angry," Vos said. 

The Hamilton resident left her home to live in a tent a month ago, spurred to action after watching the Stoney Creek parking lot debate unfold in late February. 

Councillors were divided on whether to allow affordable housing to be built on a city-owned parking lot and in a split vote, defeated staff's proposal.  

Her stay has been drawn out by a ransomware attack, which shut down some city hall services and delayed council's final vote on the issue until this week. 

In that time, Vos's protest has grown exponentially. There are now 83 people living there, most are people who experience homelessness, with no intention of leaving despite the city telling them to, Vos told CBC Hamilton on Monday. 

"Everyday they're showing up continuously," Vos said. "They feel like somebody cares about them. My tent door faces every single tent and it gives them a smidge of security and hope." 

Social service providers are also helping out, she said. 

Larissa Demers and her dog Will Robinson, who've been unhoused since the summer, joined the group on Monday. Demers said the signs along Main Street drew her there.

"I saw the signs and said, 'dear Christ, thank you, thank you, thank you,'" said Demers. "I would love to get up there in Parliament and tell them, 'Look at us. We're barely breathing.'" 

Vos said that what might appear to be an encampment is actually a protest and they won't be easily removed by bylaw or police officers. While it was originally to see a vote for affordable housing in Stoney Creek, she's now hoping for even more action.

"I'm going to take a stand and I'm going to be with these guys and lock arms in solidarity," Vos said. 

City bylaw officers have issued 52 voluntary compliance notices that expired Monday, said Monica Ciriello, director of licensing and bylaw enforcement. On Tuesday, they issued 47 trespass notices "effective immediately" with support from police, the city said.

The tents at city hall are breaking encampment rules because they're on a designated heritage site and blocking sidewalks and walkways, Ciriello said. 

Councillor puts forward 'good faith solution'

Tensions between councillors are high as they prepare to vote on the parking lot issue on Wednesday. 

Staff have proposed to build 67 new affordable units on what's currently a surface lot at 5 and 13 Lake Ave. S. in Hamilton's east end.

The properties are surrounded by businesses in downtown Stoney Creek and the development would mean losing 57 of 162 parking spots available to visitors free of charge.

At the meeting in February, many Stoney Creek residents were opposed to losing any parking spots, saying they're essential to local businesses and events. Concerns were also raised about how the plan would impact nearby Veterans Way, a street honouring veterans. 

Three councillors representing Stoney Creek wards, plus five others representing suburban and rural parts of Hamilton, voted against the affordable housing development. 

Supporters of the plan mostly represented downtown wards, as well as Ancaster Coun. Craig Cassar. 

On Wednesday, Cassar will put forward amendments to add parking spots to Stoney Creek's downtown by allocating space at a former school property, leasing spots from private lots and creating more on-street parking. 

His proposal also looks to honour veterans through the naming of the affordable housing development or renaming a parkette or with a mural or public art.

 "There's an impasse with council so we want to address concerns and we want to build affordable housing," Cassar said in an interview. "This is a very good-faith solution."

If his changes to the plan don't result in its passing, he said it shows the issue is bigger than just parking. 

'Do not build' on lot, Stoney Creek councillor says

Coun. Matt Francis, who represents the ward where the parking lot is located, called Cassar's amendments "disingenuous" and "playing politics." 

Council needs to listen to what his constituents have made clear through a townhall meeting, a petition and delegations, he said. 

"Stoney Creek is black and white: Do not build on 5 or 13 Lake Ave. S.," said Francis. 

The issue is "reopening wounds" from amalgamation with downtown Hamilton "forcing its will on other communities," he said. 

Flamborough Coun. Ted McMeekin and neighboring Stoney Creek Coun. Jeff Beattie both voiced their support for Francis and opposition to Cassar. 

"It's pretty unheard of for a councillor outside of a particular community to be coming forward with these kinds of suggestions," Beattie said. "I am concerned about the precedent it would set." 

Francis and Beattie have pitched developing affordable housing above the Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre instead. Beattie is also looking at other "made in Stoney Creek solutions" but said it's too early to elaborate.