Dear Consultation Team,…

Dear Consultation Team,

About 15 years ago, I worked at Hughson Street Baptist Church — local church in Hamilton’s North End — supporting at-risk youth. At that time, the nearby affordable townhouses were a cornerstone of the community. They offered families stable housing and access to vital local supports — something that made a real difference in the lives of children and youth.

When those homes were closed, many families lost a critical source of stability. It put individuals, parents, and their children at greater risk of homelessness and disrupted their connection to the supports they relied on.

While I understand there are environmental concerns to consider, I believe this project presents an opportunity to restore essential housing that previously existed in this very location. The need for deeply affordable housing is urgent — and rebuilding it here would support not only individual residents but also the strength and future of our wider community.

I urge the Government of Ontario to take action to move this project forward. Let’s ensure this site can once again be a vibrant and supportive part of our city, especially for the youth who call it home.