Hamiltonians share hopes for growth, voice concerns about a 'city in decline' during budget delegations

Hamiltonians shared concerns about affordability in this year's budget delegations, and several called for investments to counter a sense of civic decline and protect their most vulnerable neighbours.

"If we're investing in housing and rental protections, if we're investing in bike lanes and creating opportunities … we're giving [students] opportunities where they feel that Hamilton is where they want to stay," Maya Hobbs told councillors on Monday.

Hobbs, the vice-president of education with the McMaster Students Union, spoke alongside Kerry Yang, the union's associate VP of municipal affairs. They called for the city to implement more protections for renters, such as making it easier to report absentee landlords. They also encouraged investments in bike lanes and job opportunities for recent graduates. 

Hobbs and Yang were among about 25 people who spoke to council in-person or wrote in, discussing topics including tree-planting, bumpy roads, extreme heat, and the high cost of living.

Proposed tax-supported budget would see average property tax increase of $318.40

Each year, residents are invited to speak before councillors or write in to offer opinions as the city develops its budget. 

Hamilton's proposed budget for 2025 would see property taxes increase by 6.3 per cent. If approved by council, the mayor's tax-supported budget would mean a tax increase of $318.40 on average, according to the city. 

With that, the 2025 net budget would be $1.25 billion, and total gross budget $2.81 billion. 

Mayor Andrea Horwath and city councillors have said they've had to play "catch-up" due to previous terms of council delaying spending on capital projects such as road upgrades and social programs such as affordable housing. 

The proposed increase is "aligned with provincial trends" but would "place additional strain on Hamilton businesses and families," Greg Dunnett, president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce said Monday.

He called on councillors to prioritize investments in infrastructure, affordable housing and public safety.

Reducing homelessness came up several times during delegations. Katherine Boothe and Evan Ubene suggested councillors consider spending more on social services and less on enforcing bans on encampments.

"The rights of housed and unhoused citizens are not necessarily at odds," Boothe, a Ward 1 resident and university professor, said, adding she wants her taxes spent in a way that respects unhoused people.

Some residents say they can't afford higher taxes

Several residents who wrote delegations said they're worried higher property taxes would hurt them and others. Some said they are barely getting by as is.

Resident Maria Michael wrote it's been "heart wrenching" for them and their partner to see businesses closing and so many people living on the street. 

"We are in our late 20s and expected that if we did the right things, go to school, get married, get a house [...] then we would be able to live our dream of being parents," Michael wrote. "However, that's not the case, our decision has been made for us to remain child free due to the rapidly increasing costs of everything."

Ward 7 resident Emily Goodman wrote that as a young woman looking to start a family, she wants to live in a community where everyone can access parks, crime is prosecuted and "[people] are not left to freeze in tents in the park."

She added: "I feel like people wouldn't object so much to the property tax increases if they didn't feel like they were living in a city in decline."

Other key dates in the budget process include: 

• Tax budget overview on Jan. 23.

• A few days of discussions and presentations between Jan. 28 and Jan. 31.

• Budget consideration on Feb. 7

• 2025 budget adoption could happen between Feb. 12 and March 9.