The city hopes to create at least 38 more affordable-housing units in Hamilton using $10.8 million in federal funds.
And the scramble is on to present projects to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) by the end of this month.
The rapid-housing initiative aims to have units occupied within 12 months.
It’s tight, but doable, city staff told councillors Wednesday.
“Time is of the essence,” said Paul Johnson, general manager of healthy and safe communities.
Most of these “ready-to-go” projects will likely involve renovations or adaptations of buildings to create housing units.
That could mean minor variances, but not applications that require rezoning approvals, which would take too long.
The “good news” is most of the city is pre-zoned to allow for commercial and residential uses alike, noted Jason Thorne, general manager of planning and economic development.
Council approved inking an agreement with CMHC to start working on the applications and allow the funds to flow.
Johnson noted any projects must commit to maintaining affordable units for at least 20 years.
The target is 38 units “right out of the gate,” he said, but staff have “stretch goals” that could double that.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the $1-billion rapid-housing initiative to quickly creating 3,000 affordable units across Canada.
The federal program comes as clusters of tents pitched downtown became familiar sights in recent months and as roughly 5,100 applicants wait to get into subsidized units.
Johnson said the projects will include a “spectrum” of groups, including women, racialized and Indigenous people, LGBTQ residents, as well as those facing issues with mental health and addictions.
The city has worked with housing providers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to identify projects, noted housing services director Edward John.
In August, council endorsed a coalition of housing providers’ pitch to make a series of proposals to the federal government to build 3,000 new units in Hamilton alone.
The estimated $1.12-billion initiative, which is called Hamilton is Home, strives to build those units in three years.
And in late September, elected officials backed a call from Coun. Chad Collins for staff to draft a business plan for two modular home pilot projects.
On Wednesday, staff said councillors could request ministerial zoning orders through the province to expedite land-use changes as Toronto has done.